Why Wealthy People Are Less Likely to Divorce

Article published in The Divorce Magazine in October 2024

Divorce rates have long been a subject of social debate, with various factors contributing to the rise or fall in the dissolution of marriages. One recurring observation is that wealthier couples tend to stay married longer and are less likely to divorce compared to those with lower incomes. While this pattern cannot be explained by financial security alone, the correlation between wealth and lower divorce rates is undeniable. In this article, I explore the key reasons why rich people are less likely to divorce, focussing on financial stability, lifestyle choices, and the psychological dynamics unique to affluent relationships.

1. Financial Stability Reduces Marital Strain

Financial stress is one of the most commonly cited reasons for divorce. A study by the Institute for Family Studies found that couples earning less than ￡35,000 annually are 30% more likely to divorce than couples making over ￡50,000 per year . Lower-income households often struggle with debt, job insecurity, and day-to-day financial stress, all of which can strain a marriage. In contrast, wealthier couples typically have more disposable income and can afford luxuries, such as financial planning services, which help avoid financial disputes.

Moreover, the ability to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle without constantly worrying about money allows wealthy couples to focus on other aspects of their relationship. When you have a nanny to take care of the children when they are sick, a housekeeper to empty the dishwasher and do the dishes, a cleaner to pick up everyone’s mess and do the laundry, a large number of typical marital disputes are suddenly made obsolete. By removing one of the biggest sources of conflict, wealth offers a buffer against the financial stress that contributes to marital breakdown.

2. Access to Support Systems and Counselling

Wealthier individuals also have better access to marriage counselling and therapy services. Studies show that only 10% of couples in the lower income bracket use professional therapy services to resolve conflicts, compared to 30% of affluent couples . The cost of therapy can be prohibitive for low-income families, whereas wealthier couples can afford to invest in relationship counselling before issues escalate.

In addition, wealthier individuals may be more motivated to maintain a fa?ade of a successful family life due to social pressures, particularly in high-status communities where divorce might be frowned upon. This societal expectation often pushes affluent couples to seek help and work through their problems rather than opting for divorce.

3. The High Cost of Divorce

For wealthy couples, the financial repercussions of divorce are significant. High-net-worth divorces can involve splitting businesses, properties, investments, and inheritances. The costs of legal battles, expert valuations, and asset division can be astronomical, with some wealthy individuals losing millions during a divorce.

In the UK, divorce for the wealthy often requires involvement in complex court proceedings. The cost of legal fees for a contested divorce can exceed ￡50,000 , and this doesn’t include the financial settlements that may follow. As a result, many wealthy couples see staying married as a way to protect their assets, choosing to endure or live separately rather than face the potentially catastrophic financial consequences of a split. Because of the additional wealth, they can afford to live parallel lives in two different homes while still being married.

4. Investment in Children and Legacy

Wealthier families place a high value on family legacy and the preservation of generational wealth. In these households, the emphasis is often on maintaining the family unit to ensure the smooth transfer of wealth and estate. Divorce can disrupt this process, complicating inheritance and estate planning for future generations.

Additionally, affluent couples tend to invest heavily in their children’s education and upbringing, often enrolling them in private schools and elite extracurricular activities. According to a report by the Social Market Foundation , children from wealthier families are 75% more likely to attend private schools than their peers from lower-income backgrounds . The desire to avoid disrupting their children’s lives—whether it’s their education or social circle—acts as a strong motivator for wealthy couples to remain married, even if their relationship is strained.

5. Shared Business Interests and Power Dynamics

Wealthy couples often have intertwined financial interests, such as co-ownership of businesses or properties. Divorce can be detrimental to their financial success if their assets are split or if a business is sold as part of the divorce settlement. A study conducted by the financial consultancy?Wealth-X ? reported that 40% of high-net-worth individuals (those with ￡1 million or more in assets) have financial holdings that would be severely affected by divorce .

Moreover, wealthy individuals often have prenuptial agreements in place, which clearly outline the division of assets should a divorce occur. These agreements make divorce a less attractive option for the less-wealthy spouse, as they may receive far less than they would without such a contract. In cases where significant assets are protected by prenuptial agreements, it often makes more sense for the couple to stay married than to risk losing financial stability.

6. Different Priorities and Expectations

Couples from wealthier backgrounds may marry later in life, once their careers and financial foundations are secure. Delaying marriage often leads to greater relationship stability; individuals who marry after the age of 25 are 50% less likely to divorce compared to those who marry younger.

Additionally, for wealthier couples, marriage may be more of a practical arrangement than a purely emotional one, serving as a partnership that aligns long-term financial, social, and familial goals. When a marriage is framed around shared ambitions and business interests, there is often less emotional volatility that can lead to divorce.

Conclusion

While financial stability alone cannot guarantee a successful marriage, it undoubtedly reduces many of the stressors that contribute to divorce. Wealthier couples are often shielded from the financial pressures that strain lower-income marriages, and they have greater access to resources, such as counselling and legal advice, that help preserve the relationship. The high cost of divorce, both in financial and social terms, further encourages affluent individuals to work through marital issues rather than separating.

Statistics consistently show that wealthier couples experience lower divorce rates. According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the UK divorce rate for couples in the highest income quintile is approximately 9%, compared to 26% for those in the lowest income quintile . The combination of economic security, lifestyle choices, and psychological factors all contribute to why wealthier couples are less likely to divorce, creating a clear correlation between wealth and marital longevity.