If you’re getting married for the second or third time, you might assume that you’re going to be together for the rest of your lives. You’ve made a few mistakes in the past, but you’ve now got everything figured out, right? Actually, second and third marriages are even more likely to end in divorce than first marriages. Here are just a few of the reasons why.
Why do second marriages frequently end in divorce?
Many people assume that after they’ve gone through one divorce, they’ll know what they want out of a relationship and won’t make the same mistakes again. However, no amount of previous marriages can guarantee that your current marriage won’t have conflicts. If anything, many people find it easier to divorce a second or third time because they’ve already done it once.
Additionally, many people bring the stress of their previous marriage to their new relationship. While they might tell themselves that they’ve moved on, they might still be struggling with anger, hurt or distrust of their romantic partner. As a result, these issues can infect their new relationship.
The problems can be compounded if you’re bringing in children from your past relationship or marrying into a family with children. Children don’t always get along with their step-parents, which adds extra stress and conflict to the relationship. Additionally, the step-parents might feel powerless to discipline the children, which causes even more conflict in the home.
What should you do if you’re thinking about divorce?
You might have gotten divorced once or twice in the past, but that doesn’t make it any easier. A family law attorney may talk to you about your issues and help you decide if divorce is the best option. If so, your attorney might help you build a case as you prepare to notify your spouse.
