Divorce More Likely for Women Earning More Than Husbands

Women who earn more than their husbands are almost 40 percent more likely to get divorced than wives paid about the same or less than their husbands, a new study says.The study was conducted over the span of 25 years, finding that it doesn’t matter if the couple is wealthy or poor: if the woman earns 60 percent or more of their combined income, the couple was 38 percent more likely to divorce.Time magazine reports that the study in the Journal of Family Issues gives a pair of reasons for the trend: women with good incomes who find themselves unhappy with marriage can pursue alternatives; and the breaking of traditional gender roles can still have a negative impact on marriages.What Protections Does the Law Offer Women?While there’s little individuals can do to change society’s gender roles in time to stave off a divorce, women can take legal steps to protect themselves both before and after getting married.

• Prenuptial agreement: an agreement entered into by a couple before the wedding ceremony. It describes how property and other assets are to be divided in case of divorce; it can be especially useful for business owners or people with high incomes. It can also provide asset protection for someone getting married to someone with significant debt.
• Postnuptial agreement: this postmarital arrangement is agreed upon after wedding vows have been exchanged. Like a prenuptial agreement, it provides legal protection for a spouse with significant assets.

Full disclosures of financial circumstances are vital. A court may disregard prenuptial or postnuptial agreement if it determines that one of the parties hasn’t been forthcoming in disclosing all assets and forms of income.In order to learn more about the benefits of a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement, contact a Phoenix, Arizona family law and divorce attorney who will assess your circumstances and help you protect your assets, property, income and wealth, including savings accounts, a 401(k), pension, insurance, stocks, bonds and business interests.