The Changing Landscape of Marriage & Divorce

THE CHANGING LANDSCAPE OF MARRIAGE & DIVORCE Fewer marriages & more divorces 241,000 120,000 Marriages Divorces in 2010 in 2010 down 14% up 5% Number of marriages and divorces, 1930-2010, England and Wales The returning soldier 500 The beginning of World War Il sparked a 22% increase in marriages - when soldiers returned divorce more than doubled! 450 400 350 300 250 MARRIAGES 200 150 100 DIVORCES 50 Source: Office for National Statistics 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 MARRIAGES NOT LASTING AS LONG 22% 33% marriages ended by the 15th Anniversary marriages ended by the 15th Anniversary 1970 1995 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000 That seven year itch? Nearly 45% of people think that most divorces 32% of marriages last between 6 to 10 years showing that there may in fact be a 'seven year itch'. involve a visit to court, with 40% believing divorce can never be without conflict. THE CHANGING REASON FOR DIVORCE Spouse behaviour continues to be the number one reason for divorce in the UK – accounting for 54,874 new marriages in 2010 00000 TOP 5 REASONS FOR DIVORCE Behaviour Adultery Having been separated for 2 years and divorced with their partner's consent Having been separated for 5 years 1970 2010 Desertion Does love go out the door when recession sets in? Social research in Britain has shown that unemployment and downturns in the housing market may be associated with family instability – there are peaks in divorce rates in the early 1980s, 1990s, 2000s and now. The common factor of those dates? Recession (Vaitilingam, 2011). FESTIVE CHEER? AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR? According to the Family Mediation Helpline 1.8m 50% 75% couples contemplate divorcing during Christmas surge in calls to Relate over Christmas New Year divorces are initiated by women WHO IS GETTING DIVORCED? Average age for men Average age for women 37.4 34.9 years years Divorce rates in 2010 were highest among men and women aged 40 to 44 WHAT MIGHT THESE DIVORCES INVOLVE? £k 3. Finance & Earnings The Children The Pension 40 to 49-year-olds earn on average the highest wage at £565pw (£29,364). Three-fifths of full-time The average UK family has 1.7 children employees are currently members of a pension scheme The Property The Car The Pet 58% of those between the age of 30 – 44 own a home with a mortgage 40% of UK families have two cars 20% of all separation proceedings that involve residence of a pet have resulted in contested divorces. HOW LONG CAN DIVORCE TAKE? Mediated settlement Normal Court Settlement - Out of Court 110 350 days days Devon and Cornwall's number one ranked family law team Stephens Scown's Family Law Team is top ranked by the two independent guides to the law, Chambers and The Legal 500, and is described as 'esteemed' and a 'leading presence in the region'. The team advises clients through divorce and separation, also supporting individuals on a range of family issues. www.stephens-scown.co.uk References: Office for National Statistics Marriages in England and Wales, 2010 Grant Thornton Annual Divorce Survey 2011 - For richer, for poorer? What's yours is mine, and what's mine is out of sight. Stephens Šcown Resolution Divorce Survey 2012 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7071611.stm Solicitors