Great point, Mamamerced. Now Im curious, too!!
Ive been reading about long-term separations (10 years or more). About 15 percent of people who separate long-term dont end up divorcing, which was surprising to me. That seems relatively common.
Of the two couples I know like this, there are children involved ... and, imo, lingering control issues on one or both sides. ... Child support enforcement, restricting either of both from fully moving on or remarrying, lingering intimacy issues, fear of retribution if its an abusive relationship (just leave and dont look back), finances, health, child custody issues, etc.
Perhaps DeAngelo never agreed to divorce because he didnt want anything negative in the court record if accusations would be made between them, etc.? Sorta like he didnt really fight the shoplifting thing because he didnt want anyone looking further into his background.
Hmmmmmmm.
Didnt he end up raising at least two of their kids? Or am I misremembering?
I dont think it would be an affordability issue.
Here are a few links I found on the permanent separation issue:
The demographics of couples who separate, but don't divorce
http://m.startribune.com/the-demographics-of-couples-who-separate-but-don-t-divorce/166767186/
The numbers from the study:
- 49 percent of participants left their first marriages.
- 60 percent of those participants first tried marital separations.
- 80 percent of those who first tried separations moved on to divorce.
- Among the 20 percent who didn't proceed to divorce, 5 percent tried to reconcile and 15 percent remained in long-term marriage separations.
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The Un-Divorced
https://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/01/fashion/01Undivorced.html
From the article:
Technically, the two are married. They file joint tax returns; shes covered by his insurance. But they see each other just several times a year. Since separating we get along better than we ever have, he said. Its kind of nice.
And at 58, he sees no reason to divorce. Their children have grown and left home. He asked himself: Why bring in a bunch of lawyers? Why create rancor when theres nowhere to go but down?
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This article also mentions reasons like insurance, pensions, selling a family home, Social Security benefits, income tax filing, etc. interesting, imo.
Pros and Cons of Long-Term Separation
https://www.legalzoom.com/articles/pros-and-cons-of-long-term-separation
Sometimes the decision to stay separated may have more to do with social considerations; some couples simply prefer to continue conducting their lives as Mr. and Mrs. Married, whether or not their friends and family know the truth. Couples with children may feel that separating is less confusing or easier for their offspring. And many couples just don't get around to divorcing, seeing no real benefit in doing so, particularly if they don't expect to remarry.