Minnesota couples might be surprised to learn that a new study has found that cohabitating before marriage might increase the long-term risk of divorce. While it seems logical that living together before marriage would help couples navigate the changes that marriage brings, researchers found that there was no evidence of this past the first year of marriage.

The study, which was published in the September issue of Journal of Marriage and Family, used data from women age 44 or younger who were in their first marriages from 1970 to 2015. Previous data had focused on the opposite, arguing that the ‘premarital cohabitation effect” had disappeared. However, the study’s research led to the conclusion that this was not true past the first year of marriage. They also argued that while couples who had not lived together before getting married faced a significant shock that they had to navigate when they began to live together, their risk of divorce only increased in the short term.

While people do not think about divorce when they first get married, the risk of separation is there for all couples. Family law addresses many aspects of life, including planning before marriage, during marriage and even for divorce and life post-divorce. Being prepared for any possibilities is important in living a stable life and ensuring emotional and financial health throughout life.

For couples who are planning on marriage or divorce, a lawyer with family law experience can provide guidance and help with planning for eventualities. A lawyer can explain the legal options available during periods of life changes and help a client make wise decisions.