It is impossible to perfectly predict whether or not a divorce will take place in any individual relationship, but there are different factors and statistics that researchers can track. When they see certain risk factors, they know that these couples have higher odds of divorce – even though that doesn’t mean that all of them will get divorced.
Interestingly, some of these risk factors are inherent qualities that are actually out of the couple’s control. Here are three examples.
You got married young
How old you were when you decided to get married can play a major role in your divorce odds. Statistics show that the odds of divorce go down by 11% every year until around age 32. At that point, the trend reverses, and the odds of divorce go up by 5% every year.
Your parents got divorced
Some studies have found that couples whose parents have gotten divorced are more likely to get divorced themselves. It could just be that divorce feels more familiar to them from having grown up with it, so they are more likely to use the same option themselves.
You view money differently
Finally, the way that you and your spouse look at money could impact your odds of divorce. Conflict sometimes comes when one spouse wants to save money and the other would prefer to spend what they earn. They both feel like they are working against one another and they may not be able to compromise.
These areas do not guarantee divorce, but they do make it more likely. If you and your spouse decide to end your marriage this year, be sure you know what legal steps to take.