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Divorce is different for millennials

On Behalf of | May 29, 2019 | Divorce, Firm News |

Popular media tends to paint a very one-dimensional picture of what it looks like to end a marriage. While movies and TV shows might ultimately reflect how many people in Massachusetts view divorce, the reality could be much different. Not only is divorce unique for each and every couple, but there are also different trends across different generations.

Many millennials witnessed their own parents’ divorces during childhood and adolescence, and this likely influenced how this generation views marriage. Rather than marrying young like their parents did, many are choosing to delay tying the knot in order to make sure that they marry the right person. While there is no foolproof way to prevent a divorce, experts say the millennial approach is actually lowering the divorce rate.

Of course childhood trauma is not the only reason these young adults are waiting to walk down the aisle. Rather than building wealth with a spouse, many prefer to establish their careers and financial stability before making a commitment to marriage. Unfortunately, there is a downside to this attitude. Many millennials are also plagued by student loan debt. Large amounts of debt can make it difficult to reach financial stability, so some adults who want to get married might feel like they cannot take that step yet.

Yet another millennial marriage trend is the evolving prenuptial agreement. Older generations generally thought of these documents as something that only the very wealthy needed. Millennials have a different attitude, and a 2016 survey from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers found that attorneys reported seeing a large increase in millennials signing prenups.

These factors have come together to create a relatively low divorce rate when compared to the baby boomer generation. Still, a low divorce rate does not mean that there is no divorce among millennials. These young adults in Massachusetts who are divorcing after already accumulating both personal wealth and debt might face additional hurdles during divorce, so many choose to speak with an experienced attorney before beginning the process.