November 28, 2011
Thousands of unhappily married couples in the UK are putting off getting a divorce as many just can’t afford to separate, one dating website has claimed.
Rising unemployment, a stagnant housing market and daily fears about home finances have forced couples to stay together, even when marital relations have completely broken down, research by the Illicit Encounters dating website has found.
In total, 38% of the site’s UK members felt the stress of relocating in the current climate had affected their decision to stay married to their partner, while 42% were put off by the cost of the divorce itself.
As a result, since the economic downturn took hold in 2008, the national divorce rate has plummeted by 34% from a peak of 153,065 divorces in 2003, to 113,949 a year, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS). And according to Illicit Encounters, this drop is not due to more happily married couples, but due to the costs of divorce.
"There are a large number of our members who would like to divorce their other half but just can't raise the funds to do so,” said Rosie Freeman-Jones of illicitencounters.com.
“We've seen a dramatic rise in membership to our site over the last year as the recession has forced people to stay in marriages they would rather get out of."
If you’re considering divorcing your partner, but are worried about the level of expense involved, contact our solicitors today and see what options are available.
