Pennsylvania Family Law Blog

Every now and then, trends need to be re-examined, particularly when it comes to statistical data associated with those trends. When it comes to divorce rate and co-habitation before marriage, what can be deciphered today is different from what was concluded decades ago. According to a recent Newsweek article, living together before marriage was formerly considered a warning sign that an eventual marriage was doomed to end in divorce; but as society’s view of co-habitation has changed over the years, the correlation between co-habitation and divorce has less to do with the act of living together, and more with external factors that may have led to two people choosing to live with one another.

In the 1970s, nearly a third of couples decided to live together before marriage. At the time, societal views of the act of co-habitation were predominantly negative. Now, nearly two-thirds of all couples decide to live together before marriage and, while it is still considered by some to be an improper path taken prior to saying I do, it is much more accepted than ever before. However, when the financial situations of the two co-habiting individuals are taken into consideration, the likelihood of divorce is inevitably affected.

Reportedly, those individuals who live together to save money are often in financial situations characterized by a lack of financial security, and are more likely to divorce as a consequence.  Therefore, while divorce is not necessarily the direct result of living together, any two individuals who choose to and make such a decision based heavily on finances are likely to argue over financial issues on a more regular basis; thus making them more susceptible to choosing divorce over sustained marriage. In short, financial concerns and issues are a major cause of divorce in today’s couples.

In Pennsylvania, regardless of your financial circumstances, filing for divorce can be a difficult decision to make. To ensure your best interests are protected, retaining the services of an experienced Pennsylvania divorce attorney is the best course of action. For more information about filing for divorce in Pennsylvania, please contact the skilled Philadelphia family law attorneys at the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz. Call us today at 610-645-0100 for a free telephone consultation, and we will assist you with all matters pertaining to your divorce.

On any given day, no-fault divorce is cited throughout most of the country as the primary reason why a marriage simply didn’t work. Of the 50 states, New York remains the lone holdout state that does not allow no-fault divorces in its court system. However, according to a USA Today article, no-fault divorces may soon be cited throughout the entire country, including New York, if legislation already approved by the New York State Senate is also agreed upon by a state Assembly conference committee.

According to statistics, the marriage rate in the United States in 2008 was 7.1 per 1,000 people, while the divorce rate was 3.5 per 1,000. This essentially supports the common adage that one out of every two marriages ends in divorce. Regardless of which reasons are cited for a divorce, a host of different elements need to be carefully examined in order to come to an agreement that is amiable for both parties. While many people hope that a marriage will inevitably improve over time, sometimes the differences are simply too great, and parties have no choice but to file for separation. For such parties in New York, declaring a divorce to be no-fault may soon be a possibility.

Divorces in Pennsylvania and throughout the United States can be complicated. While one party may feel strongly that a certain aspect of a marriage caused it to go awry, another party may not consider that aspect to have been a detriment whatsoever. In any event, the best course of action for any individual looking to file for divorce in Pennsylvania should involve retaining the services of an experienced Philadelphia divorce attorney who will fight for the best possible outcome. At the Law Offices of Sheryl R. Rentz, our Philadelphia divorce lawyers are available to assist you with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your divorce. For a free consultation, please contact us today at 610-645-0100.