Ocean Township Legal Issues Blog

When people marry in New Jersey, they often pledge to stay together "in sickness and in health." In practice, however, severe and chronic illness can have serious, negative effects on a marriage. According to multiple studies, those impacts are distinctly gendered. Women who become seriously ill are more likely to face divorce while married men who suffer from illness do not show the same increased likelihood of separation.

It should be noted that most research conducted on this topic has involved older couples who may be more likely to adhere to traditional gender roles. The likelihood of divorce for young people who become seriously ill has been studied far less frequently or thoroughly. While women with cancer have an increased risk of divorce, this likelihood is less than that of wives who have had strokes or heart attacks. Researchers say that these findings parallel others, noting that while women often work harder after marriage, men find that their health is improved in their relationships.

When a New Jersey spouse is in a relationship with a significant disparity in physical attractiveness, they could be more vulnerable to divorce. Analysts have pointed out that there is a body of research that supports such conclusions. Despite this, one survey of online dating practices found that people tend to pursue others who are more attractive than they are.

According to one study, when women rate themselves as more attractive then their husbands, they're more likely to be less committed and to flirt more with others. Other research has shown that relationships between people with physical mismatches tend to be shorter because of jealousy.

The family home can be one of the most emotionally significant and financially valuable assets held by a divorcing couple in New Jersey. Unlike purely financial assets like retirement funds or bank accounts, it is far more difficult to equitably distribute the marital home. As a result, one of the most popular solutions for the home during a divorce is to put it up for sale. The purchase price can be used to pay off the remaining mortgage before the balance is divided between the two divorcing spouses.

Many people feel a deep sense of emotional connection to the family property. This is especially true if they are parents and the children have grown up in the home. One spouse may strongly want to keep the family home in the divorce. However, this can be a complicated process, so there are some critical steps to keep in mind when taking this route.

All married couples in New Jersey will have occasional disagreements about money, but persistent arguments about finances could undermine a relationship entirely. A university study identified financial disputes as a leading indicator that a couple was headed for divorce. People who fought regularly about their finances had a 30 percent greater chance of seeking divorce.

Money problems typically involve debt that strains the spouses' budget. A survey commissioned by Fidelity found that over half of couples bring debts into their marriages. Among respondents, 40 percent acknowledged that owing debts created marital conflict. Spouses often blame each other for the debt, and their hostile feelings tend to weaken their ability to communicate about important issues.