The test of time… and money: Cost of Living crisis forces Brits to delay getting divorced, reveals Co-op Legal Services

08 January 2024

Business data from Co-op Legal Services reveals springtime is now one of the most common times of year for divorce enquiries
January is often the most popular time to start divorce proceedings, but many Brits can no longer afford to do this following the festive period
Research commissioned by the law firm reveals 1 in 5 people (22%) had to delay their split due to monetary reasons
It also reveals 63% of people who delayed their divorce due to monetary reasons wish they hadn't delayed their divorce due to the impact it had
Co-op legal services offers its top tips for managing divorce

Co-op Legal Services has revealed a shift in divorce trends, as its business data shows springtime is now the most common time of year for couples to enquire about divorce* rather than the first working Monday in January (8th), known commonly as Divorce Day.

Each year, more than 113,000 divorces are granted**, as relationships that turn to ice over the winter months are likely to head towards divorce now the festive season is over. Enquiries are expected to rise sharply this month, however Co-op Legal Services predicts that this peak is expected to continue into the spring.

Data*** released by leading legal provider, Co-op Legal Services, reveals that due to financial reasons, many are now considering waiting until later in the year to start divorce proceedings, with nearly a quarter of people (21%) admitting to delaying divorce proceedings due to the impact it would have on their finances.

However, nearly two-thirds (63%) of people who delayed their divorce due to monetary reasons wish they hadn't due to the impact it had on their life and those around them.

Two-fifths (41%) of people who delayed their divorce due to monetary reasons say that their finances were the most impacted by the delay of divorce, followed by their relationship with their children (24%) and relationship with their family (13%). Men were more likely to feel the relationship impact with their children, with 30% experiencing it as opposed to only 21% of women.

Of those that had been divorced nearly two-thirds (60%) believed the divorce process, including the associated financial settlement, would cost £2887, however, it actually cost them on average £5511. Across the UK, the research revealed the most expensive place to get a divorce is Scotland, with the average divorce costing £6554 and the Northeast being the cheapest at £2965.

Ben Evans, Lead Family Law Solicitor at Co-op Legal Services, said: “It is common in the industry to see a surge in divorce enquiries in January, which usually is a result of couples not wanting to disrupt the family home during the festive period.

“Our business data predicts that divorce day has now moved back from January to the springtime with more couples now waiting until then to start the divorce process, also coinciding with the new financial year.

“This suggests the impact the cost of living crisis has had on those wanting to divorce their spouse over recent years, with many potentially having not been in the position financially to start divorce proceedings. However, our research results reveal the negative impact delaying a divorce can have on families and careers and we would advise anyone in this position to reach out for advice, especially when coupled with the average divorce case exceeding one year.”

Co-op Legal Services’ tips on managing divorce:

Be prepared: Divorce isn’t easy, it can lead to loneliness, a location change and a drop in confidence, amongst other things. Preparing yourself for what’s to come can make it easier to deal with in the long run. Seek out community groups or new hobbies that may help you to establish a new support network
Be sure: Make sure there is no resolution before considering a divorce. There is no longer a requirement for the parties to live separately, merely for the marriage to have irretrievably broken down and there being no prospect of a reconciliation.
What about your name? It’s up to you whether or not you want to keep your married name or go back to using your maiden name after divorce. If you do wish to keep your married name, then you can simply keep using it.
Review your finances: Often one of the biggest concerns to an individual going through a divorce is how they will manage financially following separation. Gather what information you can about the household and individual finances to seek advice on your options.
Know your rights. When children are involved in a divorce it can become more complicated. If the mother or father of your child is acting in a way that is preventing you from seeing your child, there may be action you can take such as getting a Court Order

Regarding the divorce process itself, Co-op offers fixed fees upfront before any legal work begins. An initial enquiry can be made via telephone or online, then a follow-up appointment is booked with an experienced family law solicitor to discuss individual circumstances. Once a quote has been provided, this price will not change. The negotiation in respect of financial settlement relating to each case is then managed on an individual basis. A fixed divorce through Co-op Legal Services costs £1,193.00 which equates to £500.00 plus VAT for the service costs (a total of £600) and the Court fee is £593.00.

For more information visit www.co-oplegalservices.co.uk

ENDS

Notes to Editor Co-op Legal Services saw a 4% increase in 2023 from Q1 to Q4 ONS data reveals in 2021, there were 113,505 divorces granted in England and Wales, Divorce - Office for National Statistics (ons.gov.uk) * Consumer research carried out by Opinion Matters, surveying 1,000 people in the UK who have been divorced (18+) *