Why Do Second Marriages Have Such a High Divorce Rate?

What Do the Statistics Actually Show?

Research from the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Center for Family & Marriage Research (NCFMR) at Bowling Green State University consistently finds that roughly 60-67% of second marriages end in divorce, compared to 40-50% of first marriages. Third marriages fare even worse, with divorce rates approaching 73%. The median duration of a second marriage that ends in divorce is approximately 8 years — shorter than the ~12-year median for first marriages.

These numbers vary by state. In high-divorce states like Nevada, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, second-marriage failure rates skew higher, while states like New Jersey and Massachusetts trend lower. You can browse state-specific divorce statistics to see how your jurisdiction compares.

Why Are Second Marriages More Likely to Fail?

1. Blended family stress. The single biggest predictor. Stepchildren, ex-spouse co-parenting, custody schedules, and competing loyalties create friction that first marriages rarely face. Studies from the Pew Research Center show stepfamily households report significantly higher conflict around discipline, finances, and holidays. Our guide to blended family dynamics covers this in depth.

2. Unresolved patterns. People often remarry without addressing what went wrong the first time — communication breakdowns, attachment styles, financial incompatibility. The same triggers reappear with a new partner.

3. Faster timelines. The median time between divorce and remarriage is under 4 years, and many couples remarry within 2. Less courtship, less vetting, less premarital counseling.

4. Financial entanglement from prior divorces. Alimony obligations, child support, and unequal asset positions from a first divorce strain the new marriage. One spouse paying support to an ex creates ongoing resentment.

5. Lower barrier to exit. Once you've been through divorce, the unknown becomes known. The procedural fear is gone.

Why Don't More Couples Get Prenups the Second Time?

You'd think they would — but prenuptial agreement usage in second marriages still hovers around 20-30%, despite the obvious risk. Common reasons:

• Emotional optimism ("this one is different")
• Embarrassment about asking after already losing assets in divorce one
• Misunderstanding what prenups can cover (they can address spousal support, property division, and inheritance protection for kids from a prior marriage)
• Cost concerns, though a properly drafted prenup typically runs $1,500-$5,000 — far less than litigating a contested divorce

In most states, second-marriage prenups are especially enforceable when both parties have prior divorce experience and full financial disclosure. Under California law, for example, Cal. Fam. Code § 1615 sets the enforceability standards. Florida applies similar rules under Fla. Stat. § 61.079.

What Should You Do Differently?

Before remarrying, address three things: (1) premarital counseling focused on blended-family logistics, (2) a written prenuptial agreement covering pre-existing assets, support obligations, and inheritance for prior children, and (3) full financial disclosure with separate counsel for each side.

If you're considering remarriage and want to structure it properly, find a family law attorney in your county who handles second-marriage prenups. The cost is trivial compared to a second divorce. Browse more questions like this in our Divorce Questions library.

This is general information, not legal advice. Consult a family law attorney in your jurisdiction.