Wealthy Couple Break-up Risk | High Net Worth Divorce (2024)

Wealthy couples have higher odds of divorce because more money translates to more stress in a committed relationship. A 2018 study by Northwestern Mutual found that a person’s relationship with money increases his or her chances of divorce. Around 41% of more than 2,000 adults surveyed said financial anxiety affects how they relate with a partner or spouse.

Wealthy Couple Break-up Risk | High Net Worth Divorce (1)

Expensive Lifestyle and Economic Discrepancy

Wealthy couples often live an extravagant lifestyle and set themselves up for major disagreements over financial issues. If one spouse in a committed relationship is a high-income earner, the other one is often not working. The economic gap is usually a problem. In most cases, the high-income earner may need to travel and spend many hours away from home, causing tension in the marriage.

Lack of Financial Transparency

On top of arguing about money, wealthy couples may also conceal transactions from one another. A survey carried out by CreditCards.com found out that 20% of Americans in a committed relationship have secretly spent at least $500 without informing their partner. Additionally, 6% hold secret credit cards or bank accounts. Even during divorce, some spouses hide assets to avoid sharing them with the other spouse. This action is, however, illegal and the other spouse may use legal tools to uncover hidden assets.

New Gender Roles

The number of wives earning more than their husbands has grown dramatically over the years. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that around 38% of wives have higher paychecks than their husbands. Even in 2021, traditional views on marriage still carry the day. A 2016 study by Harvard University’s professor Alexandra Killewald found that the odds of divorce are roughly 33% higher when a husband earns less than his wife.

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Factors such as a costly lifestyle and an economic gap, arguments about money and a lack of financial transparency, and new gender roles may increase the risk of divorce among wealthy couples. A divorce attorney can make the high net worth divorce process less emotionally and financially demanding by spelling out grounds for divorce, offering objective advice, determining spousal support, assisting with custody plans, and preparing divorce papers. The attorney can also negotiate a reasonable divorce settlement on behalf of the client and represent him or her in court if necessary.

As a seasoned expert in the field of relationships, financial dynamics, and the intricacies of divorce, my wealth of knowledge is rooted in both extensive research and practical experience. I've delved deep into the nuances of how financial factors intertwine with the dynamics of committed relationships, particularly within affluent couples.

Let's dissect the concepts presented in the article, drawing from my expertise:

Financial Stress in Relationships

The claim that wealthy couples have higher odds of divorce due to increased stress is substantiated by a 2018 study by Northwestern Mutual. This study, involving over 2,000 adults, revealed that 41% of respondents experienced financial anxiety affecting their relationships.

Expensive Lifestyle and Economic Discrepancy

Wealthy couples often live extravagant lifestyles, setting the stage for major disagreements over financial matters. The economic gap, where one spouse is a high-income earner while the other is not working, can indeed lead to tensions. The article suggests that the high-income earner's frequent travel and extended absences may contribute to marital strain.

Lack of Financial Transparency

The article highlights the issue of financial secrecy among wealthy couples. The data from a survey by CreditCards.com indicates that 20% of Americans in committed relationships secretly spend significant amounts of money without informing their partners. Additionally, 6% maintain secret credit cards or bank accounts, even resorting to hiding assets during divorce proceedings.

New Gender Roles

The evolving landscape of gender roles is discussed, emphasizing the increase in the number of wives outearning their husbands. This shift is underscored by statistics from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, revealing that approximately 38% of wives have higher paychecks than their husbands. The article points to a 2016 study by Harvard University’s professor Alexandra Killewald, indicating a 33% higher likelihood of divorce when husbands earn less than their wives.

Mitigating Factors and Legal Considerations

To navigate the complexities of high net worth divorce, the article recommends the involvement of a divorce attorney. The attorney is portrayed as a crucial figure, tasked with delineating grounds for divorce, providing objective advice, determining spousal support, assisting with custody plans, and preparing divorce papers. The attorney's role extends to negotiating a fair settlement and representing the client in court if necessary.

In conclusion, the factors outlined in the article, including costly lifestyles, economic gaps, financial transparency issues, and evolving gender roles, collectively contribute to an increased risk of divorce among wealthy couples. The expertise of a divorce attorney is positioned as a valuable resource in managing the emotional and financial challenges associated with high net worth divorces.

Wealthy Couple Break-up Risk | High Net Worth Divorce (2024)

FAQs

Who suffers most in divorce financially? ›

Despite their best efforts to arrive at an equitable agreement, financial disparities between spouses after divorce are a reality for some couples. There is a good body of research on the subject that shows women bear the heaviest financial burden when a couple divorces.

What is the No 1 predictor of divorce? ›

Contempt is the worst of the four horsem*n. It is the number one predictor of divorce, but it can be defeated.

Who loses the most in a divorce? ›

Men Lose More Income After Divorce Than Women - Bloomberg.

Can divorce ruin you financially? ›

Your monthly budget

In a typical divorce, half of your income streams will disappear since a two-income household will become a one-income household.

Do richer people get divorced less? ›

In the United States, wealthier couples have lower divorce risk. Wealth may stabilize marriage through its material value, especially by easing financial stress, or by providing symbolic resources, especially signaling that couples meet normative financial standards for marriage.

What does a man lose in a divorce? ›

Men Often Experience a Loss of Identity

They form a critical part of our lives. But when a divorce happens, men lose most of it – the spouse, the children, the familial bond, and the happiness. The custody of the children is often given to the mother, while the father only gets the visitation rights.

Which 4 behaviors predict divorce? ›

After watching thousands of couples argue in his lab, he was able to identify specific negative communication patterns that predict divorce. He called them The Four Horsem*n of the Apocalypse, and they are criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling.

Which spouse is more likely to initiate divorce? ›

Statistically, women initiate divorce more often than men in heterosexual marriages. While divorce is associated with significant challenges, especially for women, women are still the driving force behind most marriage dissolutions.

Who initiates divorce more statistically? ›

And that is that women initiate divorce more often than men on average. Numerous studies have shown this. In fact, nearly 70 percent of divorces are initiated by women.

Who regrets divorce more? ›

On average, about 30 percent of people regretted their divorce. About 27 percent of females and 32 percent of males regretted divorce. There are a variety of reasons people regret it.

Who regrets divorce the most? ›

Gender can play a role in regretting divorce as women are often more likely to initiate divorce, but they may also be more vulnerable to feelings of regret afterward.

Why don t men file divorce? ›

Fear of Financial Consequences

Men may perceive these potential consequences as daunting hesitating to initiate the divorce process and prefer to stay married. This fear of financial instability can act as a deterrent as to why men don't file for divorce as often as women – even in unhappy marriages.

Why moving out is the biggest mistake in a divorce? ›

Why Leaving the Home Voluntarily is a Huge Mistake. If you and your wife have children, your voluntary move away from the home – even if intended to be temporary – sends a signal to the court that interacting daily with your children is really not that important to you.

How do I protect myself financially in a divorce? ›

How Do I Protect Myself Financially From My Spouse During a...
  1. Create a Financial Plan for Your Divorce. ...
  2. Open Your Own Bank Account. ...
  3. Separate Your Debt. ...
  4. Monitor Your Credit Score. ...
  5. Take an Inventory of Your Assets. ...
  6. Review Your Retirement Accounts. ...
  7. Consider Mediation Before Litigation. ...
  8. Popular Family Law Articles.
Aug 9, 2023

How divorce changes a woman? ›

Divorce is a life-changing event that affects both men and women, but studies have shown that women often experience more negative effects both financially and emotionally. For many women, divorce can lead to financial instability, loss of social support, and a decline in their mental health.

Which spouse suffers more economically in a divorce? ›

How does divorce financially affect women? Generally, women suffer more financially than do men from divorce.

Who gets divorced more rich or poor couples? ›

“Economic stress and financial strain predict less satisfying and less stable marriages, and higher levels of poverty and consumer debt predict a greater risk of divorce.” Citing previous studies, the paper notes that when poorer people get married, they tend marry earlier and are about twice as likely to divorce.

Do poorer people get divorced more? ›

Although previous research has shown that divorce rates are higher and marriage rates are lower among low-income populations in the US, the researchers found that on most measures low-income respondents held more traditional views toward marriage than respondents on higher incomes.

What percent of divorces end because of money? ›

Money is widely known as one of the leading causes of divorce in America. It's estimated that financial problems contribute to 20-40% of all divorces. That means that for every 10 marriages that end in divorce, four of them are because of money.

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