It is widely understood that half of all marriages end in divorce, but a commonly-held American statistic may not translate north of the border. In fact, Alberta residents may be interested to know that Canadian divorce statistics vary considerably from those of their American neighbours. However, some trends do remain consistent, including the seasons most likely to be associated with the ends of marriages.
In Canada, the divorce average is only 33 percent for a first marriage. Many experts put this down to the fact that more young people are choosing to cohabitate rather than to tie the knot, most notably in Quebec, where only a third of the population choose to walk down the aisle. As in other parts of the world, the most common catalyst for divorce tends to be arguments about money, followed closely by infidelity.
The peak times for a divorce seem to carry over from the United States to Canada, as most couples choose to end their marriages in March or August. Some experts have put this down to families wanting to “stay together for the holidays,” only seeking support for divorce once the festive season and/or summer holidays are coming to an end. For couples with children, the onset of back-to-school activities can bring stress to a boiling point that can influence the decision further.
Regardless of the causes for divorce might be, the fact is that Alberta residents will still choose to end their marriages when it makes the most sense for them, and for their own reasons. Thankfully, there is a wealth of support available for couples choosing to divorce. Seeking the support of qualified professionals with access to years of experience in handling divorce law can be a good first step towards a relatively swift and egalitarian divorce settlement.
Source: globalnews.ca, “August one of the peak times for divorce, research shows“, Patricia Kozicka, Aug. 22, 2016
