Most couples who are about to get married consider many things before tying the knot. These include planning a wedding, a family and several other future endeavors. While the potential pitfalls of marriage might come into a couple’s thoughts, an experienced Tulsa divorce lawyer will tell you that they often are not dwelled upon and perhaps, they should not be.

There has been a longstanding belief that approximately 50 percent of all marriages will end in divorce, but that number might be more of a myth. The New York Times reported that the U.S. divorce rate has been on the decline since the 1980s and that the ratio is closer to one-third of all marriages ending in divorce. Still, that ratio indicates that there is still a decent chance that a marriage will end in divorce. Below are a few things that will make a divorce more likely.

Divorce is more likely to occur in August or March­­­­

As the Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder reported in a recent blog entry, seasonal divorce does occur. This notion has long been a belief by many divorce attorneys, but University of Washington researchers presented a published study at the American Sociological Association’s annual meeting of “what (was) believed to be the first quantitative evidence of a seasonal, biannual pattern of filings for divorce.” Their research indicated that post summer and winter holiday stress likely plays a factor in the seasonal spikes.

Divorce more likely to occur the greater the age gap

While statistics are not destiny, The Atlantic published an article that the bigger discrepancy in a couple’s age the more likely their chances of divorce become. Couples with a 30-year age difference are 172 percent more likely to get divorced. Those with a 20-year gap in age are 95 percent more likely. Ten years equates to 39 percent more likely. Five years is 18 percent more likely and one year is 3 percent more likely.

The late 20s appears to be the best age to get married

Another research study, this one led by a University of Utah researcher, indicates that those who marry in their late 20s and early 30s increase their odds for a successful marriage. The same study further backed up the notion that those who wed in their teens and early 20s have a much greater chance of their marriage ending in divorce.

Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr.

What does this all mean?

An accomplished and experienced Tulsa divorce lawyer will be the first to tell you that statistics alone are not a predicator for how successful or how bad a marriage can end up. That said, those couples thinking about marriage, should be aware of some of the data. The Tulsa family law firm of Fry & Elder wishes for every couple to enjoy a successful and happy marriage, but in the event that conflict emerges the Tulsa divorce attorneys at Fry & Elder are eager to help you get resolution.

Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. is an acclaimed and experienced Tulsa divorce lawyer who is one of only 19 attorneys in the state of Oklahoma to be named a  Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Fry also was named Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016. Fellow Fry & Elder attorneys James R. Elder, M. Shane Henry and Aaron D. Bundy, along with Fry, have each achieved the esteemed AV® Preeminent Peer Review Rating by Martindale-Hubbell®.

Collectively, the group along with T. Luke Barteaux, Lorena Rivas, Kirsten Bernhardt, Katie Egan and Melissa Fell has helped Fry & Elder land a prestigious spot on the U.S. News & World Report’s esteemed list of Best Law Firms from 2014-2016. Contact Fry & Elder today to speak to an experienced Tulsa divorce attorney.

When it comes to divorce, there has long been a prevailing belief by many that during certain times of the year there is a divorce spike. Though the phenomenon has been commonly referred to as “seasonal divorce,” there has never been an elaborate and well-documented research study done on seasonal divorce spikes – until now.

As reported in the New York Times Magazine, researchers at the University of Washington have published a study that appears to back up the notion that seasonal divorce spikes occur during certain times of the year.

University of Washington sociology professor Julie Brines and doctoral candidate Brian Serafini presented “what is believed to be the first quantitative evidence of a seasonal, biannual pattern of filings for divorce” this past week during the American Sociological Association’s annual meeting.

Brines and Serafini investigated nearly every divorce filing in Washington state between 2001 and 2015. Their research led them to conclude that seasonal divorce spikes are a real thing, as divorce filings ‘‘consistently peaked in March and August, the periods following winter and summer holidays.’’ Their research also conveyed a continual decrease in divorce filings in the months following August through December.

Why do Seasonal Divorce Spikes Occur?

Many divorce and family law attorneys have suspected that the stress of the holidays and sending kids back to school have contributed to seasonal divorce spikes. Brines and Serafini’s research appears to further validate that suspicion. They stated in a press release that “troubled couples may see the holidays as a time to mend relationships and start anew: We’ll have a happy Christmas together as a family or take the kids for a nice camping trip, the thinking goes, and things will be better.” Simply put: When the holidays don’t work out as planned, the road has been paved for action to take place.

As for the late summer season divorce peak, Brines said the pending start of school may accelerate the need or urge to file for divorce. Research also has indicated that longer days during the spring and summer “elevate moods enough to motivate people to act.”

Tulsa divorce and child custody attorney Robert G “Hap” Fry Jr. said he’s not surprised by the study’s findings, but that action can be taken at any time of the year.

“I think holiday stress has always played a factor in many people deciding to file for divorce,” Fry said. “But everyone’s threshold of a bad relationship and marriage is different. It might take the holidays for some and it might not for others. When someone decides they’ve had enough, that ultimately is when action is taken.”

Why Consult with a Proven Tulsa Divorce Lawyer?

Whether the summer has stressed you out, the holidays or some other time of the year and you’re wanting to get out of a bad marriage, your first course of action is to set up a personal consultation with an experienced Tulsa divorce lawyer.  Fry. was named Lawyer of the Year for Family Law in Tulsa for 2016  and is one of only 19 attorneys in the state to be named a  Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. Fry, along with the rest of the acclaimed and accomplished Fry & Elder attorneys has helped the firm become synonymous with Tulsa divorce, child custody and family law. Fry & Elder has been named to the U.S. News & World Report’s prestigious list of Best Law Firms from 2014-2016. Begin your road to recovery by contacting Fry & Elder today.