A just released study completed by the Center for Marital and Family Studies at the University of Denver, Colorado has given some hope to those that chose to live together before marriage. According to the report released Tuesday, March 2, 2010, couples that live together before marriage have approximately the same chances of a successful union as those who wait for their nuptials. Of the 13,000 men and women between ages of 15 to 44, research found the differences between those who lived together before marriage and those who did not were not significant.
The report stated that 71 percent of men and 65 percent of women who were engaged when they moved in with their future first spouse made it to their 10th anniversary. Meanwhile, 69 percent of men and 66 percent of women who waited until wedlock to move in were able to celebrate the 10-year mark. According to sociologist Pamela Smock of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, these numbers prove "there is not a negative effect of cohabitation on marriages, plain and simple."
These statistics are not the same for those that move in without plans to marry, though, and the study suggests that those who do live together without defined expectations and plans for the future are more likely to divorce. As Scott Stanley, co-director of the Center for Marital and Family Studies, explains it, "the nature of commitment at the time of cohabitation is what's important."
This report comes from data collected in 2002 and is the most current representation of modern Americans. For those that are against pre-marital co-habitation, such as Mike McManus, co-founder of the "ministry" Marriage Savers, these findings are worrisome. For the remaining nearly 66 percent of the population that live together before marriage, these results show a more promising picture than was originally painted.
While people who are contemplating marriage rarely like to think of the potential for separation and divorce, it is becoming increasingly common for potential marriage or committed partners to enter into premarital or pre-union agreements which deal with issues such as support and division of property in the event of separation and/or divorce. These agreements cause prospective spouses or partners to think through many issues prior to marriage and can deter later separation because difficult issues have been openly discussed and resolved prior to the marriage.
But of course, if a marital or committed relationship fails, there is always help. The Raleigh, North Carolina family lawyers of Gailor, Wallis & Hunt help men and women work through the emotional and financial entanglements that occur when a marriage or committed relationship dissolves. With over 80 years of combined experience, the firm offers highly competent and dedicated representation in the following matters; mediation, arbitration, separation and property settlement agreements, divorce, alimony and child support and equitable distribution of property with an emphasis on representing business owners.
For a confidential and personal review of your case, contact Gailor, Wallis & Hunt at 1-866-362-7586 or visit them online at http://www.gailorwallis.com.