Ask an Attorney: Why Are Two-Thirds of Divorces Initiated by Women?
Posted on: February 25, 2020
If you ask just about any divorce attorney who files for divorce often, men or women, they will give you a resounding answer: Women. Why is this? Keep reading to learn about what studies have shown about the topic. If you have questions or would like a free legal consultation with an experienced family law attorney, contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 right away.
The Results of a Study by the American Sociological Association
A study was recently released by the American Sociological Association that found that nearly 70% of divorces are initiated by women. You may or may not be surprised to learn that nine out of ten divorces filed by women are filed by women with a college education. The questions remain: Why? While the study did not find conclusive reasons, we have a few ideas.
Why Are Women More Likely to File for Divorce?
There are a few theories out there. One is that, even in 2020, women are more likely than men to be staying home with the kids. When a woman does not have wage-based work and she wants to leave her husband, her only option is often to file for divorce so that she can receive alimony, child support, etc. When a man wants to leave, he more often has gainful employment and can afford for them to simply be separated.
Likewise, traditional gender roles more often leave women in charge of “household things,” such as filing, making phone calls, and setting appointments – this is true even if both spouses work full time. As such, she is more likely to make the call and file for divorce. These are just two examples but the truth is that there are many other reasons women are more likely than men to file for divorce.
How to File for Divorce
Whether you are a man or woman, if you need to file for divorce then your first move should be a confidential consultation with a divorce attorney. Before you file the papers, make huge decisions, or move out, you should first better understand your rights and your financial reality. A divorce attorney can help you do that.
Even if you believe that you will have an agreement divorce in which you and your spouse are able to come to agreements without litigation, you should still have an attorney on your side. At Law Office of Michael L. Fell, we can represent you in a divorce mitigation process with the goal of ensuring that the divorce is handled as easily and quickly as possible.
If you are interested in finding out more about your rights, then we suggest you contact Law Office of Michael L. Fell at (949) 585-9055 to request a free legal consultation.
