A recent marriage study suggests that high-net-worth assets may have an impact on whether Washington married couples stay together or call it quits. In fact, this particular study suggests that wealthy people in general are much likelier to divorce than their less-affluent peers. While one study definitely does not prove or discount such assertions, it is true that finances often have significant influence on marital relationships.
Spouses who divorce often say that money was a causal factor in the breakdowns of their relationships. In households where one spouse earns a high income and one spouse is not employed or earns substantially less, there often seems to be relationship stress that many believe is caused by the economic disparity between the married couple. Another commonly occurring argument between spouses of substantial means has to do with living expenses and debt.
If one spouse has more control over finances than the other, it can cause discord and resentment. Negative feelings can build up over time, and if such problems are left unresolved for too long, they may become irreparable. Rather than continue to fight about money and drift farther apart in their marriages, some spouses decide to divorce instead.
Divorce is never easy, especially in high-asset situations. Washington happens to be one of only nine states in the nation that continue to operate under community property laws, meaning all marital assets are split 50/50 in property division proceedings. To protect one’s interests, it is always best to turn to an experienced family law attorney for support.
