It’s tempting to think that living with your partner prior to getting married may increase your chances of avoiding divorce. However, statistically speaking, Virginia couples who cohabitate may actually be more likely to divorce a year after their weddings take place. Conversely, those who don’t live together prior to getting married may be less likely to get divorced if they can make it to their first anniversary.
There are many factors that determine if a marriage will succeed
In many cases, financial problems are to blame for the end of a relationship. Infidelity on the part of either spouse may also cause trust issues that make it impossible to maintain a healthy partnership. In addition, it’s not uncommon for people to change during the course of a relationship. Over time, couples may simply drift apart from each other and realize that getting a divorce may be in their best interests.
It’s harder to leave a spouse
Couples who wait to live together until after getting married will likely face challenges that those who cohabitate before marriage have already dealt with. However, it’s much easier to end a relationship with a roommate than it is to end a relationship with a spouse. Therefore, the couples who are already married when they first share a space together have more to lose if they can’t settle their differences.
This may provide an incentive to make the compromises needed to keep the relationship intact. Generally speaking, compromise requires patience, the ability to communicate and respect for others. These are all qualities that tend to be present in people who are able to stay in relationships over long periods of time.
If you are thinking about ending your marriage, you may want to hire a legal adviser to help with your case. A family law attorney may be able to review a prenuptial agreement, talk about state property division laws or take other steps to assist in the process of obtaining a favorable settlement.