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Divorce may be up over the past 30 years MN researchers say

Some researchers are currently challenging the idea that the divorce rate has been declining over the past thirty years. A recent report from researchers at the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Population Center reveals that the divorce rate may actually be increasing over the past thirty years. The researchers make the point that the data measures previously used to arrive at the divorce rate may have been problematic. In 2008, however, the U.S. Census Bureau added divorce related questions to its questionnaire which should provide more valuable data to researchers.

Additionally, for years, the rate of divorce saw a steady decline amongst older people. In recent decades, however, the divorce rate for people over 35-years old has not seen such a steady decline. Those well into their 60s are divorcing at a higher rate than in previous decades. Some of these marriages are second marriages, however, others are long-term marriages ending in divorce after a number of years.

One of the primary concerns many couples may have related to divorce is property division. When a couple divorces in Minnesota, absent another valid agreement, equal division of the couple's property is likely according to equitable division rules. This means property will be divided fairly and factors such as the length of the marriage can impact some divorce legal issues. A divorce asset split can sometimes be of particular concern to those divorcing later in life and contemplating important issues such as retirement.

The divorce process may sometimes seem complicated and overwhelming. A trained family law attorney can help a divorcing party better understand the process and achieve what that party needs from the property division process.

Source: The Huffington Post, "Is the US Divorce Rate Going Up Rather Than Going Down?" Robert Hughes Jr., Mar. 6, 2014

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