Although the number of first time marriages has been declining, the number of people who are getting remarried after a previous marriage is increasing. The Pew Research Center recently published a report in which they compared remarriage statistics in 1960 and 2013. They found that in 40% of new marriages in 2013, at least one partner had been previously married. In 1960 there were 14 million Americans who had been married more than once. In 2013, there were almost 42 million remarried Americans.
Two factors contributing to the increase in remarriage have been identified. Divorce is more prevalent now than it was in 1960; therefore, more adults are eligible to remarry. Also the life expectancy in America has increased by about 10 years since 1960, allowing widowed and divorced seniors more time and opportunity to remarry.
As of 2013, 50% of previously married senior citizens had remarried, as compared to 34% in 1960. Conversely, younger Americans are now less likely to enter into a second marriage than they were in 1960. Among widowed and divorced 25-34 year olds, 75% had remarried in 1960, yet only 34% had remarried in 2013. This suggests that the increase in overall remarriage is largely due to older adults getting remarried after being divorced or widowed.
Remarriage has clear economic advantages. Remarried adults are more likely to be financially stable than single divorcees. According to the Census Bureau, 19% of single divorced adults are living below the poverty line, as compared to about seven percent of remarried adults. Another indicator of financial well-being, homeownership, is higher among remarried Americans. Seventy-nine percent of remarried adults own their own homes, as compared to 58% of single divorced adults.
Baltimore County divorce lawyers at Huesman, Jones & Miles are committed to representing our clients in divorce while preserving their financial stability. Our experienced Maryland family lawyers understand that divorce is emotionally devastating, and we work to reduce your stress and ensure the best possible outcome for our clients. Contact us online or call 443-589-0150 to schedule a free consultation with one of our highly skilled Baltimore divorce lawyers. Our offices are located in Hunt Valley allowing us to conveniently represent individuals in Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County and Howard County as well as the communities of Towson, Bel Air, Columbia, Westminster and Essex.