Up to 50% of married couple divorce according to some statistics. Missouri had an estimated 3.2 divorce rate in 2015. Nobody likes to think about it, but the truth shows that many couples will, unfortunately, go through the pain and suffering of a divorce.
These pains are often not limited to emotional distress. Divorcing can be a financial burden as well. That is probably why some couples postpone it: the process seems too inconvenient. But is this the best move?
Actually, it’s not.
There are a variety of reasons why people choose to postpone their divorce. It can be anything from not being able to admit to family and friends the marriage is over, not hurting the children, or even just hoping their financial situation will improve over time, and the divorce won’t be so draining for the couple.
However, in some cases postponing the divorce can prove even more expensive:
If you have to pay spousal support for a divorce, the duration of the marriage can ultimately influence how much you will have to pay, and for how long. If your marriage lasts for decades, Missouri law believes these payments should be permanent.
Over time, you could accumulate more assets, which means there will be more properties to split during the divorce. These are all factored in when negotiating the divorce settlement, even though the funds or property have nothing to do with the marriage – take for instance, a relative leaving you a house in their will.
It can be extremely difficult to reconcile with a spouse after you decide to get a divorce. This is not something one chooses lightly, and chances are that when the idea crosses your mind, it’s because you truly need it.
Nevertheless, many couples decide to give it another try, and some even go to therapy to try and work things out. Some successfully do so and get back together. However, some studies also show that 38% of couples who seek marriage therapy end up in divorce, even though they dedicate a lot of effort into their therapy sessions.
Postponing the divorce has a negative impact on your happiness as well. When a relationship isn’t working anymore, it’s always best to act, as the more time goes on, the more frustrated and resentful the two people can be. If there are also children involved, it’s imperative to remain relatively close even after the divorce.
Have you been struggling with the thought of going through a divorce, while knowing deep down it is inevitable? Speak with an experienced attorney today at (314) 801-8488.
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