CLOSER NEWS REPORT
The first Monday in January has been dubbed ‘divorce day’ because solicitors see a surge in enquiries. But this year, there is expected to be a dip in people splitting up as the cost-of-living crisis means couples are having to stay together. Closer speaks to the experts who think it could be a chance to turn things around…
Last January, Leanne Wilson* was looking online trying to work out what benefits she would be entitled to if she and her husband, Joe* split up.
Leanne says, “We have three children together – Lucy*, eight, Daniel*, six, and Daisy*, two – but since Daisy was born, we’d begun to drift apart.
“He became quite resentful and withdrawn about how far down my priority list he’d become. We were always bickering and I was so unhappy. I just thought it would be better if we spilt.”
Leanne, 42, from Manchester, decided to start secretly stashing money away from her job in sales, with the plan to hopefully separate and leave in the summer to rent somewhere nearby for her and the children.
But then the cost-of-living crisis hit – and everything changed.
Leanne says, “Our mortgage increased by £350 a month. And on the news, all I saw was how the rental market was out of control with people paying way over the odds for tiny flats.
CONCERNS
“Even our food shopping bills were almost doubling so I could put less and less aside into my ‘running away’ fund. The idea of Joe and I splitting up just seemed less and less likely – we simply couldn’t have afforded to do it.”
Leanne isn’t alone. Estranged couples are being forced to remain under the same roof, unable to afford to divorce as legal costs, house prices and mortgage rates soar.
Experts say the number of people unable to afford a separation doubled last year. A recent survey revealed that 30 per cent of couples are staying in their relationship because of concerns around the cost-of-living crisis – and that number is set to rise.
The cost of renting is also at a record high, so couples are remaining together in the same home leading separate lives.
Niamh McCarthy, Partner at Stowe Family Law, says, “Since last summer, I’ve spoken to many people enquiring about divorce, but who are considering putting it off due to financial worries and concerns about not being able to afford to live solo.”
POSITIVE
But despite the panic and uncertainty, it could be a chance for couples to reignite their relationship if they are forced to stay together.
Relationship expert Rhian Kivits says, “Couples shouldn’t feel resentful that they’re being ‘forced’ to st
