Divorce not an option for some cash-strapped Pittsburgh couples

On Behalf of | Dec 30, 2011 | Divorce

Getting a divorce can be costly, even when you opt for a simple divorce process. That cost is deterrent enough to keep some couples from filing for a divorce, choosing instead to remain legally married — even when they are no longer committed to the marriage and may not even be living together.

Pittsburgh divorce lawyers note there is a strong link between the performance of the economy and divorce rates among married couples. It’s not the relationship you might think, though — although economic hardships can create stress between married couples, the national divorce rate actually goes down one percent for every one percent increase in the national unemployment rate.

According to a recent survey conducted by the NPR-Kaiser Family Foundation, economic struggles caused by the recent recession have created significant stress for many families in the United States. One fifth of American workers who have been unemployed for a year or more said they have experienced a strain relationship with their spouse or intimate partner. One third of those workers said the economic strife worsened their partners’ physical health.

The economic strain, combined with unhappiness being trapped in a divorce, can have dangerous consequences. One sociologist reports that the combination of economic struggles and marital problems can increase the risk of domestic violence between couples.

Experts believe that once the economic recession improves, an increased rate of divorce will be seen due to couples having the financial means to end their marriages.

Source: NPR “Marriage Economy: ‘I Couldn’t Afford To Get Divorced’” Dec. 20, 2011

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