What Happens Financially When a Long-Term Marriage Ends?

Recent data from the Office for National Statistics shows that the median duration of marriages ending in divorce increased to 13.0 years in 2025 for opposite-sex couples. The ONS also recorded that same-sex couples had a median duration of 13.7 years for male and 13.6 years for female couples in civil partnerships before dissolution.

In practical terms, this means that half of divorcing couples had been married for more than 13 years, while the other half had been married for less. This is the longest median duration recorded since the ONS data collection began in 1963, suggesting that couples are, on average, remaining married for longer before deciding to separate.

Why are couples staying married longer?

There are many reasons why this trend may be occurring. Generally, people are getting married later in life than previous decades. In 2023, the median age for an opposite-sex marriage was 34.8 and 33 years for men and women respectively, remaining among the highest figures recorded by the ONS. For same-sex marriages, the median age in 2023 was recorded as 37.4 years and 34 years for men and women respectively. This may reflect wider social changes, including people choosing to marry later in life after establishing their careers, finances, and long-term relationships.

However, many also worry about the financial burden of separation, both in terms of the cost of living as a single person and the cost of the legal process. This may deter couples from applying for divorce early on.

Whatever the reasons may be, it is helpful to understand how the length of a marriage might impact the approach a court takes in financial arrangements.

Impact of a long-term marriage on financial arrangements

It is important to note that there is no strict definition of a "long-term" marriage, although marriages of 10 years or more are often regarded as falling into that category.

When considering financial arrangements following the breakdown of a long-term marriage, the court is more likely to:

• Start from the principle of equal sharing of matrimonial assets;
• Treat wealth built up during the marriage as a joint endeavour;
• Give less weight to arguments that one party contributed more financially than the other;
• Place significant importance on meeting both parties' future housing and income needs; and
• Consider periods of cohabitation before marriage as part of the overall relationship, where appropriate.

However, the courts are flexible in their approach, and duration is not the sole consideration. Other factors, such as the level of financial interdependence, whether there are children, the nature and extent of the parties' assets, and any pre-or post-nuptial agreement will also be looked at.

What might this mean for me?

Long-term marriages are more likely to involve pensions, property, and other jointly accrued assets. This can result in more complex financial negotiations and a greater focus on achieving a fair division of resources, such as:

• Equal division of matrimonial assets unless needs justify a different outcome;
• More focus on pension sharing orders; and
• Greater likelihood of ongoing maintenance where there is a substantial income disparity.

Ultimately, there is no "right" or "wrong" time to make the decision to separate. The reasons why a marriage comes to an end are deeply personal. Whilst the length of a marriage may be taken into consideration when assessing the division of assets, the law seeks to achieve a fair outcome on the particular needs of each case. No matter the length of the marriage, the priority should be reaching a fair and balanced resolution.

How Maguire Family Law can help

Our team of experienced family lawyers can help you understand your individual situation and the options available and support you in moving forward with financial certainty and security.