The effects of COVID-19 have been felt the world over, and nowhere is that more evident than in divorce rates throughout the U.S. Some sites have even reported that online searches in divorce-related terms have increased by more than 30% since March. There are many reasons for this, including incompatibility, insufficient division of labor, consistent conflict, and commitment issues. Additionally, other stressors like financial strain and homeschooling children can cause further strain. According to the New York Post, 31% of couples shared that lockdown has caused “irreparable damage to their relationship”.
Newlyweds seem to be the hardest hit according to one study, with couples who have been married for 5 months or less seeking a divorce at a rate of 20%, in comparison to only 11% in 2019. Lockdown has also shown spikes in domestic violence reports, leading to filings.
However, it can be challenging to accurately calculate divorce statistics for California specifically, as there is no requirement to release official data at the state level. There is also a mandatory 6-month waiting period between filing for divorce and the end of the marriage in California, which further complicates survey results. What is clear is that individual cities throughout California have shown an increase in divorce rates since March, and now in November, with a curfew now in place, there is no signs of slowing.
With no end in sight to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is likely that we will see more reports of higher divorce rates throughout the nation. All of this is to say, if you are feeling strained in your relationship, you aren’t alone. If lockdown has affected your relationship and you are either going through a divorce or seeking separation, our Encino attorneys at Cutter & Lax, Attorneys at Law are ready to help. Our compassionate attorneys will walk you through the entire process, being at your side every step of the way to help navigate the complexities of divorce including custody and child support, alimony, visitation, and property division.
If you are interested in filing for divorce and want to learn more about your options, turn to our Encino attorneys at Cutter & Lax, Attorneys at Law to help you through the process. Call us today at (818) 839-2533.
