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According to a study reported on Time.com, couples who get married between the ages of 28 and 32 are the least likely to get divorced. However, the article’s author is also quick to point out that this study is at odds with a competing analysis which concludes that the best age to get married in order to avoid divorce is 45 to 49.
So, does age really matter? And, if so, how does age impact the potential long-term viability of a marriage?
So What is the Best Age to Get Married?
The simple truth is, there is no best age to get married for anyone. Marriage and divorce statistics are based on samples of data; and, while these statistics may reflect what happens most often, they do not reflect what will happen for any individual couple.
As illustrated by the starkly-different conclusions reached in each of the studies mentioned above, the data themselves are subject to selective inclusion, interpretation, and even manipulation. So, regardless of which study’s conclusion is current (if either), while these types of studies may be interesting to read online, they should not guide anyone’s decision-making with regard to getting married or filing for divorce.
Age-Related Factors in Divorce
While age may play a lesser role in determining when any two people should get married, age can impact a couple’s divorce in a number of different ways. The basic concepts are the same (property division, financial support, and child custody), however, getting divorced in your 20s or 30s involves different considerations than getting divorced in retirement, or even in your 40s or 50s.
Consider these examples when thinking about the best age to get married:
Retirement Savings
If you are just starting to grow your retirement account in your 20s or 30s, figuring out if and how to prioritize protecting your account involves different considerations than potentially splitting a six or seven-figure nest egg closer to the age of retirement. Divorces in both age ranges require an accurate determination of the future value of the account; but, while younger divorcees will have more time to make additional retirement contributions if necessary, those who are later in life may need to focus more on protecting their savings.
Debts
Under New Jersey law, the general rule for debts is the same as it is for assets: Those acquired prior to the marriage are the acquiring spouse’s to keep, and those acquired during the marriage are subject to division in a divorce. Spouses who still have school loans and other debts acquired early in life will typically retain these debts after their divorce, while these types of separate debts may be less of a factor for some older couples.
Social Media
Can you believe Instagram has only been around for eight years? While social media platforms are ubiquitous today (particularly among the younger generations), it wasn’t that long ago that the social media phenomenon didn’t even exist. Social media can play a major role in the divorce process, and younger couples are more likely to have more social media-related issues to address.
Length of the Marriage and Standard of Living
The length of the marriage and the standard of living enjoyed during the marriage are relevant factors for determining what constitutes an “equitable” distribution of property and whether alimony should be awarded. Spouses who marry young and stay married for a long time will likely have to address these factors more thoroughly, while spouses who marry later in life and divorce may have an easier time simply returning to the pre-marriage status quo.
Hackensack, NJ Divorce Attorneys
MR. Men’s Rights Divorce & Family Law of New Jersey by Schultz & Associates, LLC is a Hackensack, NJ family law firm that represents spouses of all ages in divorce. If you are considering a divorce and would like to speak with an attorney, you can call (201) 654-4263 or contact us online to schedule a confidential initial consultation.
Carrie S. Schultz, Esq. – author
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