When you’re going through a divorce, it can feel like you’re all alone. However, you can rest assured that you have plenty of company.
Recently compiled U.S. Census Bureau data shows that Arkansas had the highest divorce rate in the nation. The divorce rate of 13% in 2018 is nearly a full percentage point higher than South Dakota, the state with the second-highest rate.
Why is the divorce rate so high?
Numbers alone fail to tell the story of why divorce rates are so high. Surveys conducted during the 10-year census period across the country found that most people got divorced due to “basic incompatibility.” Basic incompatibility is a catch-all term that can encompass several factors. However, the report stated that communication failures were the most likely culprit when it comes to compatibility issues. Some of the other major issues which resulted in divorce include infidelity and money problems.
One of the factors that set Arkansas apart from other states is that people are likely to marry at a younger age than elsewhere. Differences in maturity levels between people in their early 20s and those in their later 20s can be vast. This could help explain why communication can be a major problem for many couples. Of course, marriages can run their course at any time. People change as they progress through life, and the person you were 20 or 30 years ago may not resemble the person you’ve become.
Regardless of the reasons why your marriage has reached its end, it’s important to protect your interests throughout the divorce process. A skilled legal professional can help guide you through this process as you begin a new chapter in your life.