When couples in Virginia decide to get married, one of their first considerations is their wedding date. In many cases, wedding dates are chosen on the basis of family schedules as well as the availability of preferred reception sites. However, some couples decide to schedule their weddings on “special” dates, such as Valentine’s Day or a date with a matching series of numbers, such as February 22, 2022 (2/22/22).
However, a recent study indicates some problems with this approach. Researchers found that couples that intentionally got married on a “cutesy” date may actually have a higher rate of divorce. The problem likely has less to do with the data itself than it does with the attitude of the people who get married. If somebody chooses to marry on Valentine’s Day or a once-in-a-blue-moon numerical date, he or she may be more concerned with having the “perfect” wedding than with the actual hard work of marriage.
Unfortunately, when people are unprepared for marriage or have unreasonable expectations, unhappiness can result. In some cases, this can lead to divorce. Ending a marriage, even in an uncontested divorce, can be extremely stressful for the parties involved. This is why people are generally encouraged to seek out premarital counseling before actually getting married. A skilled marriage counselor can help a couple assess whether marriage is the right step for them.
If a marriage does fail, spouses may benefit from speaking with an experienced family law attorney. A lawyer may be able to review his or her client’s case and make recommendations regarding every aspect of a divorce, including the division of assets, negotiating ongoing support payments and determining child custody issues.
