Do people with more assets fight more?

Having more assets is usually seen as a good thing. But what happens when having more assets actually contributes to a more vitriolic divorce?

Popular myth states that people with more assets tend to have bigger fights when dividing assets in divorce. But how true is that?

Finances as a root cause of arguments

Business Insider discusses the impact of assets on divorce. Needless to say, finances play a major role in divorce from the start for many people. In fact, it is a root cause of divorce for a number of couples.

There is some truth to the fact that more assets often result in more arguments in divorce, too. Studies show that couples with a net worth of between $1 and $5 million fight the most in their divorces, earning them the moniker “the fighting class”.

Some speculate that this is due to the fact that they still are not financially established enough to lose their fear of financial loss. One wrong move in a divorce could potentially cost them their lifestyle, and many do not want to lose that and fight tooth and nail to keep it.

The importance of financial stability

On the other hand, couples who have achieved financial stability seem to fight less. Couples with over $5 million in net worth actually have the highest rate of amiable divorces out of any other wealth bracket. This is likely due to the fact that at this level of wealth, there is very little reason to feel concerned about future financial instability even in the face of divorce.

In reality, it is financial stability that impacts argument rates rather than assets.