If you take a look at marriage statistics in the United Kingdom over the last few decades, you will find that fewer couples are enjoying wedded bliss than ever before.
In 2023, the Guardian reported that the number of people married in England and Wales had reduced by more than 50% in ten years.
Of those that did take the leap of faith into marriage, around 42% will end in divorce according to official statistics. Although this divorce rate may seem startling, divorce in the UK is actually on the decline.
In this blog from Wayman & Long, we’ve collated the latest key UK divorce statistics.
The most recent divorce-related statistics available to the public are the Family Court January-March 2024 Quarterly Statistics, which were published in July.
Throughout this quarter, there were 27,908 divorce applications made and 21,662 final orders granted under the new divorce law, which came into effect in 2022.
The new divorce law removed the need to place blame on one party. Instead, either spouse can simply say that the marriage irretrievably broke down. Specific reasons are no longer required.
The number of final orders granted has increased by 19% when compared to the same quarter in 2023. However, it is not all doom and gloom for married couples…
Although 27,908 divorce applications were made in the first quarter of 2024, this is an 11% decrease from the year before. The cause for this decline could be due to several factors, including the ongoing cost of living crisis.
The average cost of divorce in the UK is £14561, meaning it is not always a feasible option for couples that are impacted by the cost of living crisis.
The changes to UK divorce law in 2022 made it possible for couples to make a joint divorce application. This is beneficial if both spouses agree to the divorce and are committed to seeing it though. Despite this now being an option, 74% of applications were made by sole applicants.
Getting a divorce is a lengthy process and there is very little, if anything, you can do to speed things along. In the United Kingdom, the mean average time from divorce application to final order was 68 weeks – that’s almost 1.5 years!
Having the right divorce solicitor by your side can ensure that no mistakes are made that will inevitably slow down an already longwinded process.
Statistics published in the Guardian state that financial pressures have had an impact on the number of divorces and separations since 2019. In the past four years, the United Kingdom has experienced an ongoing cost of living crisis.
The cause of this crisis is debated, with some experts suggesting that it is the impact of several national and global events, including the UK’s exit from the European Union, the war between Russia and the Ukraine, and the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Unfortunately, these financial pressures have led to more than 270,000 coupes postponing their divorce.
Aside from being able to afford the cost of the divorce, couples considering separation also have to consider their financial situation following the divorce.
Research carried out in late 2023 by UK financial services provider Legal & General found that almost half of divorcees experience a 31% income reduction. This, on average, equates to an average of £9,700 less income each year.
January has long been one of the busiest months for divorce solicitors and family law experts in the UK. Some dub January “divorce month” due to the sudden spike in divorce inquiries and boom in business. However, this doesn’t mean that January is a particularly popular month for divorce applications.
New research found that March was one of the most popular months for divorce applications. This is thought to be due to the time it takes for couples or sole applicants to consider their options and make the decision.
In the United Kingdom, only 20% of couples discussed their pensions when dividing their assets during the divorce process. Pension sharing provides a clean break and ensures each party has pension provision in retirement.
A pension order is not affected by remarriage, death or any other changes in circumstances. One of the main benefits of pension sharing is that both parties can maintain their own pension pots and will have a clean break from their spouse.
If you are considering divorce and have questions about pension sharing, get in touch with an experienced divorce solicitor.
Divorce is a complex and daunting process. Around 40% of divorcees in the UK believe that their divorce was financially unfair, which one of the parties coming out on top in terms of finances and assets.
The best way to secure a fair share of your marital finances and assets is to seek the help of an experienced divorce solicitor. A divorce solicitor will be able to help you and your spouse come to a fair agreement that suits both parties. If you or your spouse contests the divorce, a divorce solicitor will fight your corner in court to help you leave the marriage with your fair share.
If you are having marital problems and would like to speak to a legal professional, don’t hesitate to reach out to Wayman & Long. We have a team of dedicated, experienced and qualified Family Law Specialists and Divorce Solicitors that can talk you through your options and help you take the next steps.
Whether you need mediation, advice on legal separation, or you are ready to make an application for divorce, the seasoned team of legal experts at Wayman & Long can help.
We are a traditional family-run solicitors firm based in Suffolk. Our team will guide you through the divorce process with compassion and professionalism. Get in touch today.
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