In some ways, a high level of wealth can create economic stability. This can, in turn, give a marriage more stability, potentially decreasing the odds of divorce.
However, some reports note that periods of economic growth often lead to an increase in divorce cases. This suggests that increased wealth could actually make divorce more likely. What are some of the reasons this may be true?
High-demand jobs
One issue is that high earners often have very demanding careers. These jobs may require long hours at the office or frequent travel. For example, a business executive may spend weeks overseas handling company operations or meeting with international clients.
Even though these couples may enjoy financial stability, they sacrifice time spent together. Over time, this can strain the relationship. The couple may begin to drift apart.
Long commutes
Another report supporting this idea found that couples with commutes longer than 45 minutes have roughly 40% higher odds of divorce.
Again, one of the key issues is simply less time spent together. Couples with short commutes—or no commute at all—generally have more opportunities to spend time with one another, and with their children. Couples with long commutes naturally spend more time apart. While those demanding schedules may contribute to their overall financial success, they can also create stress within the marriage.
Navigating a high-asset divorce
If you and your spouse are going through a high-asset divorce, the process can become very complicated when dividing significant assets, investments and property. It is important to understand what legal steps may be necessary to protect your interests moving forward.