St. Louis Family Law Blog

When people in Missouri choose a date for their wedding, they may think it has little relevance to their likelihood of divorce. However, according to some researchers at the University of Melbourne, choosing certain dates for a wedding is linked to a higher probability of divorce. In a study of 1 million couples, the researchers said that Valentine's Day, Feb. 14, was the worst day to get married; of couples who married on that date, 11 percent divorced within 5 years of the wedding. Even more, 9 years later, over 20 percent had ended their marriage.

Valentine's Day was not the only date that the researchers identified as problematic. People who married on "special number days," like Sept. 9, 1999, or Dec. 12, 2012, were more likely to divorce. While this could be attributed to a number of factors, the researchers said it could indicate that the couples involved were more concerned with the wedding itself than the marriage to come. They may also be younger or less experienced with relationships. In addition, couples may choose these dates on the spur of the moment and opt for a quick wedding despite the length of their own relationships. Others may have excessively romantic expectations for marriage and be disappointed in the practical reality.

The rules governing taxation of alimony payments are set to change in 2019. Some of the biggest consequences of the new tax rules have to do with who pays taxes on the alimony. For people who are approaching or going through divorce in Missouri, it's important to be aware of the ramifications. The law will apply to divorce agreements that are entered into after New Year's Day 2019.

People who entered into divorce agreements including alimony or spousal support payments prior to the change will continue to apply the current tax rules going forward. The law that is being replaced allows the paying spouse to claim a deduction for alimony payments and requires the recipient to pay taxes on the money. Under the new rule, the person who pays alimony cannot deduct it, and the recipient doesn't owe taxes on alimony received.

Student loans are taking a toll on marriages in Missouri and around the country, according to a study by Student Loan Hero. The website reports that the average U.S. college loan balance is $34,144, while the average loan for 2017 college graduates was nearly $40,000. Apparently, the weight of this financial burden is breaking down marital bonds.

The survey found that a third of divorced student loan borrowers at least partly blamed college debt and other financial problems for the end of their marriage. Of those, 13 percent claimed that student loans were the primary cause of their divorce. These findings back up a previous survey that found that 43 percent of student loan borrowers report having money-related fights with their spouse somewhat often. The poll also found that 24 percent of borrowers have kept their college debt a secret from their spouse, while 18 percent think it's okay to lie to their spouse about money issues.

The unfortunate truth is that some marriages were never meant to be. When Missouri spouses come to this realization, divorce is generally the best solution. Most couples go into the divorce process hoping for a smooth transition. However, emotions often run high when issues such as child custody and property division come into play. That's why it's important to be prepared.

If you feel that your divorce could get messy, the first step is to find a competent divorce lawyer. An experienced attorney can help ensure your rights aren't overlooked during the course of the proceedings. Ultimately, legal counsel could help you obtain a fair separation agreement.