Divorce is becoming less common for many couples in Connecticut, although people are also less likely to get married as well. Over the last 10 years, nationwide divorce rates have declined by 19.55% across the country on average, while marriage rates have also decreased by 7.74% in the same time period. These differed substantially from state to state, with Illinois showing a 40% decline in divorces and New York a 7.69% increase in the same time period. Connecticut’s divorce rate remained relatively flat between 2009 and 2018, with a 3.33% decline, while marriages dropped by 10.69% in the state in the same time period.
Of course, when people decide not to get married, they are also less likely to divorce. A growing number of people in many states are choosing to get married later on, and people who marry at young ages typically have higher rates of divorce. With the growing acceptance of cohabitation outside marriage, more people are deciding not to get married, at least until they choose to have children. With both partners in a relationship developing careers, they may also not want to worry about the issues that can accompany the end of a marriage.
Divorce rates are not the same among all demographics, of course. Even while younger people are less likely to divorce, older Americans have seen their divorce rates go up in the same period of time. The phenomenon of “gray divorce” includes many people on their second or later marriages but also include couples who spent many years together but decided to divorce after their kids are out of the house.
Couples that divorce at any age may have a range of unique financial, legal and practical concerns. A family law attorney may help people negotiate a settlement on divorce issues, including child custody and asset division.