It’s not unusual for soon-to-be-spouses to opt for a summer wedding, or one that will take place during the holidays when more family members and friends are likely to be available. And some couples in Texas prefer to make their upcoming marriage even more special by choosing a specific date with a significant meaning. However, results from a recent study suggest “special meaning” dates may not lead to the long-term happily ever after most couples have in mind when tying the knot.
After analyzing a million married couples, researchers discovered that one special day, in particular, is the worst date for a wedding – February 14th. Nearly 12 percent of the couples studied who were married on what’s often referred to as the most romantic day of the year ended up getting a divorce within five years of saying, “I Do.” The number of couples married on Valentine’s Day that got divorced nearly doubled after almost ten years.
But Valentine’s Day isn’t the only date couples may want to avoid. Researchers also report similar results for couples choosing wedding dates because of unique number alignments. For instance, thousands of couples opted to legally become one on December 12th, 2012 because of a perceived significance of 12-12-12. As for why such dates may not be so lucky, one possibility is that couples looking for significant dates may be more focused on having the perfect wedding day than taking the steps necessary to set the foundation for a happy, healthy marriage.
Regardless of the what contributes to the decision to untie the knot, a family law attorney can prove to be a valuable asset for a spouse planning a divorce. For example, a lawyer may be able to help with property division by determining the value of marital assets and the financial needs of their client. Steps can also be taken to negotiate an acceptable child custody agreement or seek spousal support for a lower-earning spouse.