Recession is Forcing Many Unhappy Couples to Stayed Married

Figures calculated by the National Marriage Project show a slight decline in the number of divorce filings between 2007 and 2008. But should the decrease in filings be attributed to more happily married couples? Or would attributing it the recession be more accurate? Some argue that these tough economic times are forcing many unhappily married couples to stay together, even though their marriage is very much over.

The economy has impacted the divorce rate in several ways. First and foremost, the downturn in the housing market has arguably taken the biggest toll on couples wishing to divorce. Many divorcing couples depend on the money they anticipate to receive from selling their home to start their own separate lives. But with the value of homes dropping and couples owing more on their homes than what the home is actually worth, filing for divorce and splitting the money to start a new life just isn’t plausible for some people.

The recession has also led to more job layoffs. With the unemployment rate at a high, many people cannot afford to keep up with their monthly expenses, let alone hire a divorce attorney or pay for the legal fees involved in a divorce. Even those people who can afford to hire an attorney may not be able to afford life after the divorce. Child support and alimony are both paid regularly and on a long-term basis. Some people simply do not have the income to provide for themselves and for their child and ex-wife or husband.

If you would like to file for divorce but are concerned about the financial repercussions, we advise you to contact our office for help. At the Law Office of Michael R. Young, we understand that many people are struggling just to get by, but we don’t think it’s fair or right for people to feel trapped in an unhappy marriage just because money is tight. An experienced Riverside divorce lawyer from our firm is available to meet with you to discuss your situation and go over some possible options and alternatives you may be able to take advantage of, such as legal separation.