Paul Horton: Remarriage After Divorce

Studies have shown that remarriage after divorce has been steadily rising for a number of years, which means people after divorce are getting married again at record rates. According to one 2014 study, approximately 40 percent of marriages involve at least one spouse who has been married before, while in 20 percent of marriages, both spouses had been previously married.

The data for the study came from the 2013 American Community Survey, along with prior census data that contained marriage information. As of 2014, approximately 42 million adults in the United States were remarried — double the amount of 1980 and triple the amount seen in 1960.

Demographics for Remarriage after a Divorce

Through the survey, researchers revealed there are certain demographics that are more or less likely to get remarried than others.

For example, age made a big difference in a person’s desire to remarry. People who are divorced in their 20s or 30s are, perhaps unsurprisingly, significantly more likely to remarry than people who are divorced in their 50s or 60s. However, even older people (65 and up) are remarrying at much higher rates than they had in the past. In 1960, only 34 percent of people who were 65 and older had remarried, versus 50 percent in 2013. Researchers speculated this could be due to longer life expectancies today.

Meanwhile, 75 percent of people between 25 and 34 who were eligible to remarry in 1960 had done so — versus only 43 percent in 2013. So, while young people are more likely to remarry if divorced while young, they are also likely to take their time in doing so, at least compared to previous generations.

How to Bring Up a Prenuptial Agreement as a Possibility Before You Get Remarried

Prenuptial agreements may be on the rise in terms of their popularity, but that doesn’t make it any easier for you to ask your partner for one. It can be a difficult conversation to navigate, even if the agreement would be beneficial for both people entering a marriage. Therefore, broaching the subject requires some tact.

The following are some tips to help you approach the prenup conversation in a positive and sensitive manner:

Don’t make it a surprise: The idea of a prenup is never something you should spring on your partner at the last minute. This is a conversation you should begin having as early as possible. You owe it to your partner to provide a reasonable amount of time to think about the possibility of a prenup. This will help you gauge his or her feelings about a prenup and concerns.
Know it’ll be a difficult conversation: There’s no getting around the heaviness associated with the prenup conversation. There will be some momentary tension in the relationship that arises as a result. It’s important to be open and honest. If you are serious about getting married, this sort of open communication is something both of you should value and respect.
Emphasize the benefits: One of the main talking points in the prenup conversation should be how much you stand to de-complicate a potentially messy situation by using one. If the worst-case scenario happens and your marriage ends in divorce, the process will be much simpler and quicker. You should also be sure to emphasize that the benefits of a prenup exist for both sides.

Suggest the two of you make the agreement together. If you are both active participants in creating the agreement, there will be less concern about an imbalance of power in the relationship and agreement.

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If you have a question about divorce law or if you need to start or defend against a divorce case in Utah call Ascent Law at (801) 676-5506. We will help you.