Deciding to end a marriage is a major life decision, and one that most couples do not take lightly. However, those in Virginia who have decided to divorce should know that they are not alone. Many people, young and old, divorce and sometimes remarry.
According to data compiled by the Minnesota Population Center’s Integrated Public Microdata Sample project, in 2017 approximately 10 percent of respondents age 30 were divorced. In addition, approximately 41.5 percent of respondents by age 63 had ended a marriage or had remarried one or more times. This is slightly below the 42.1 percent of respondents age 62 who were still married to their original spouse.
In addition, both in 1960 and 1980, more respondents in their 20s had divorced in comparison to those in that age bracket that had divorced in 2016. Also, in 1960 and 1980 more respondents in their late 20s and early 30s had ended a marriage or remarried one or more times than those in that age bracket in 2017. However, respondents in their mid-40s in 2017 were more apt to have ended their marriage than those in that age bracket in previous decades.
As this shows, while divorce rates in certain age groups may change over time, the fact remains that not every marriage will last. When a couple is in an unhappy marriage with no prospect of reconciliation, it may be in the best interest of both parties to divorce. However, divorce legal issues, such as property division, spousal support, child custody and child support, can be complex, even in an amicable divorce.