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Study says most people not ready for possibility of divorce

On Behalf of | Feb 25, 2020 | Divorce |

Most people don’t enter into marriage thinking that it will end in divorce. However, that’s exactly what happens to many couples across Virginia. The fact that people often don’t think it can happen to them means that it can come as a great surprise, one that they often aren’t ready for, either emotionally or financially. A recent study showed exactly how prevalent the idea of being unprepared for divorce may be.

A large investment company conducted a survey of 2,000 adults. It wanted to determine how prepared people felt for typical major life events, such as retirement. The overwhelming majority, 87%, said they felt secure in their own ability to manage their finances on their own, even if they got divorced or their spouse died. However, 41% of those same respondents admitted that they do not have a specific plan on dealing with the possibility. Interestingly, women were more likely than men to be prepared for losing a spouse, with only 36% of women saying they didn’t feel prepared, versus 45% of men.

Experts say that most of the people surveyed hadn’t taken one of the simplest steps to prepare for divorce, which is having a prenuptial agreement. All of this could serve as a cautionary tale, as the same survey found that significant numbers of the divorced respondents said getting a divorce caused them financial strain, and that a prenuptial agreement would have helped them. Even some admitted that they stayed married for longer than they felt they should have because of financial aspects.

One of the most effective ways to be prepared for divorce is to consult an experienced family law attorney. An experienced legal professional here in Virginia can help those who are concerned about all aspects of a divorce, especially financial. It can be a complex process, but it is one worth undertaking for the goal of a bright new future. 

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