Living together before marriage used to be a scandalous choice. Nowadays, however, many couples don’t think twice before sharing a home prior to taking the plunge. But does making this choice increase the chance that a couple may eventually end up seeking out a Virginia divorce lawyer?
Some recent studies conducted by the National Marriage Project seem to suggest that co-habitation before marriage can lead to divorce. It’s difficult to determine the validity of these studies at this time, and it’s also unclear why the risk of divorce would be increased due to premarital co-habitation.
Many couples move in together for convenience, or to give their relationship a “test drive” to find out whether they can indeed live together on a daily basis before making the big commitment to marriage. This seems like a good idea, but sometimes, cohabitation can prove as difficult to leave as marriage is.
This can mean that some couples will go straight from living together to marriage because they feel too entangled to back out, even though they are aware of problems in the relationship. Taking these unsolved issues into marriage is a bad idea and can lead to a trip to a divorce lawyer at some point in the future.
Living together before marriage is a very popular choice; approximately 70% of couples live together for some period of time before marriage. If you’re considering living together before taking your vows, it’s wise to go into it with a realistic view. Be honest with yourself and with your partner about your goals and expectations. Work out financial matters, fidelity agreements and any other issues you find important before making it legal.
Contacting a Virginia Divorce Lawyer
The decision to file for divorce usually comes at the end of a long and painful journey. In addition to the emotional turmoil involved, there’s also a lot of fear and uncertainty about what the future holds. Concerns about children, mortgages, and even just paying the bills or buying groceries can easily become overwhelming.
A Virginia divorce attorney at Hofheimer Family Law Firm can examine the specifics of your case to help you decide how much support to ask for, what child custody arrangement will work best for you and your children, and how to divide your marital assets fairly. Request a FREE copy of our divorce book for women in Virginia, or reserve your seat at our monthly divorce seminar – 757-425-5200.