Most people didn’t plan on spending days at home for months on end. Being cooped up at home can take its toll on people and, in turn, relationships. Spending too much time together can be detrimental to a marriage.
Some spouses may be able to adapt to new, unexpected challenges like job loss, health issues or significant life changes. In contrast, other couples may find an unforeseen hardship to be the final straw.
A collaborative divorce is an option
Especially during uncertain times, those who choose to end their marriage may be fearful. Fortunately, traditional divorce litigation is not the only option; there are alternative methods that may make the process simpler and less combative.
In a collaborative divorce, each spouse enlists an attorney to represent them. Most of the time, couples hire neutral experts to help them work through the terms of their divorce. Spouses may employ one or more of the following:
- A divorce coach
- A real estate expert
- A financial advisor
- A child custody specialist
After a few meetings, the couple should agree upon the terms of their divorce. If both spouses are in agreement, the divorce will be final.
Fewer couples get married during an economic downturn
It may be too soon to tell whether recent tough times will lead to an increase in divorce filings, but there is an evident decrease in marriage rates.
According to the CDC’s most recent data, marriage rates hit an all-time low in 2018. Prior to then, 1932 held the record for the lowest marriage rates in America. Due to the economic hardship brought upon Americans in 2020, there may be a new all-time low in marriage rates.
Studies show that those who get married during a recession are less likely to get divorced later on.