Current divorce rates have been a recent hot topic. And although these statistics fluctuate, the general consensus is that approximately 40 to 50 percent of first marriages will end in divorce. The failure rate for subsequent marriages is even higher. Most couples who get married believe that it will be "forever." However, the reality is that couples have a 50-50 shot at making it work. Hence, it is a good idea for couples to not just consider the romantic possibilities of marriage, but to also consider the realities of divorce. Furthermore, if you are planning to get married, and anticipate receiving a future sizable inheritance, it is important to consider ways to avoid a high-asset divorce—pending the worst becomes reality.

One of the easiest and safest ways to protect inherited properties is to draw up a prenuptial agreement before marriage. If you are already married, then you and your spouse may want to draft a postnuptial agreement. Each of these documents work to protect both parties in the event a marriage ends in divorce.

Ownership of assets such as inherited property, money, businesses, or other valuables can be clearly spelled out in an agreement, and can ensure that there will not be a long, drawn out divorce fight over the inherited assets.

Various research suggests that when the economy is bad, the divorce rate falls. However, analysts have used data from one dating website to study whether or not there is a parallel between the economy and adultery. The website is called Ashley Madison, and unlike other dating websites that promise users the opportunity of finding a spouse, Ashley Madison markets their site for people seeking to have discreet extramarital affairs and engage in cheating.

Researchers found that in 2008, when the economy took a major nose-dive, the Ashley Madison's membership rose by 192 percent in the U.S., almost tripling the typical annual growth for the site. They found that the states with the biggest changes in employment rate that year had the biggest growth in the site's membership.

One of the researchers, sociologist Eric Anderson, said, "It may very well be that in times of distress, that one's partner could also be viewed with antipathy, leading one to cheat." Anderson, who teaches at the University of Winchester in England, also said that people may look to affairs as a way to escape the worry and stress from financial issues.