Have Divorce Rates Increased During Lockdown?

As we approach the end first quarter of 2022, divorce and breakups is another pandemic that is going unnoticed and is spreading across the world, this is often devastating for the people concerned. This is not a virus that can be spread by sneezing but a epidemic born out of us keeping us and our loved ones safe and often confined in our homes.

Divorce is known to be one of the most devastating and stressful things you can go through second only to the death of a loved one, however some argue that it is worse because the repercussions can last for years especially if your divorce becomes acrimonious.

Leading law firm Stewarts reported 122% from July to October 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Surveys conducted by Citizens Advice Bureau showed similar trends during the same period. The increased pressure of home working and schooling, as well as potential health and financial concerns may have played a role in this.

There are usually two peaks during the year when divorce enquiries spike, September after the school holidays and January after the Christmas holidays. This suggests that prolonged periods of family time can often result in relationship breakdown. These could be issues that were already there but by having to spend prolonged time together they become unavoidable especially because the amount of time they had to spend together, coupled with working from home, home schooling children and financial pressures it is enough to break the strongest amongst us.

Stowe Family Law, which polled 400 people across the country, discovered around three-quarters of couples who separated or got divorced during the Coronavirus crisis say they had no tensions before the pandemic began. The survey found the main reason couples cited for going separate ways was spending too much time together, which led to too many arguments – with almost a quarter saying this. Two in ten cited financial pressures, while the same proportion felt they had grown apart from their partner or spouse.

We are also expecting the divorce rates to increase further increase in divorce rates in 2022. The Government confirmed that the divorce law in England and Wales would be changing, with the introduction of no fault divorce in April 2022.  No fault divorce is due to come into effect in England and Wales in April 2022. Presently we have to assign blame for the reason for divorce, but from April we do not have to, which may reduce the number of contested divorce and it is hoped that it will be less acrimonious.

The lockdown has been life changing for many of us, some of us broken up, divorced, some lost loved ones and others lost their jobs. Some of us are struggling to find healing and a purpose to life as what mattered to us is in tatters. I want to assure you that a better life is possible, I am a example of that. Since my divorce I have travelled and made friendships all over the world and qualified as a divorce coach and now running an international coaching business helping people all over the world.

If you are going through a breakup of any sort, a good place to start is to set up a breakup support group. The idea behind this is to ensure you have a team of people that can help support you in every area of their break-up. Just having these people identified and on your team will massively reduce their stress and overwhelm – even if you never use them. Just knowing you can get all their questions answered if needed will be a huge relief and dial down the intensity of the situation. The team members need to be carefully considered with your guidance. These are the key players needed in this team: Legal Advisor, Financial Advisor, Family and Friends, Exercise Buddy  and a Coach. Most of all do not go through this alone, it’s so hard, please talk to someone.

My advice would be to avoid a divorce if you can, work on it and ensure that you have tried everything to save it, perhaps for 3 to 6 months, this way you can walk away, if you decide to do so, without regrets of making a permanent decision about something that could have been saved. This will ensure that you are making the right decision for you.

With the world opening again and with all this doom and gloom many have realised what is important to us and what’s not right with our lives has been highlighted. This can be a positive thing also. Who knows maybe the relationship was going to end anyway and the lockdown may have just hasten the end. Divorce is devastating but it is also a time to take stock and reinvent yourself. If you are going through it now then it’s a chance to design the life you deserve and the relationship you want. Divorce is not just the end it can also be the beginning, who knows it may be better than you ever thought.

If you are thinking of divorcing, going through a divorce, or indeed struggling to see a vision for your life post divorce, then get in contact.