Divorce up in downturn

Family lawyers have attributed rising divorce rates to the financial stress of coping with the economic downturn.

The number of divorces in England and Wales rose by 4.9% in 2010, to nearly 120,000 couples, according to figures released last week by the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Couples in their early 40s were the age group most likely to divorce. Half the couples had at least one child below the age of 16.

The rise in the divorce rate is the first since 2003, which saw a peak of 150,000 couples severing ties. The rate has declined since then as fewer couples have chosen to tie the knot.
 

According to the ONS, the rise could be due to the strain of the economic downturn, and some people may want to divorce while their incomes are low so they get a more favourable settlement.

On the other hand, as the ONS points out, tough economic times can make some struggling couples stick together because they can’t afford to separate.

Family lawyers say financial strains often contribute to relationship break-ups.

Caroline Falkus, partner at niche family law firm Bross Bennett, says: “The ongoing economic pressures of recent times are directly responsible for sowing the seeds that grow into full marriage breakdowns.

“We see many clients whose arguments and disagreements started when they suffer the stress of financial hardship leading to worries about trying to pay the bills, forced redundancies or that their businesses may go under. It is no surprise there has been a rise in the number of divorces and if the current economic problems continue then this is a depressing pattern that is likely to persist.”

Grant Howell, partner at Charles Russell, says: “Divorce figures are back on the rise with financial pressures in the economic crisis adding to the strain on married couples.”

He calls for greater rights for cohabiting couples “to address the hardship and injustice suffered by cohabitants on breakdown of the relationship, as identified by the Law Commission”.