Family Law Blog

Financial Troubles Inspire Divorcing Couples to Rethink Divorce

By Denver Divorce Lawyer on February 18, 2009

This report from WTOL on divorce claims that the current recession and the costs of divorce are inspiring some couples to explore less expensive ways of dissolving their marriage, and causing other couples to work on saving their marriages in times of economic hardship. Linda Vanderpol, an Ohio marriage and family therapist, said that she has seen a recent increase in people whose main reason to stay together is financial. Vanderpol said, “This month in particular, I’ve noticed several of the people saying, ‘Well, ya know, we were gonna go to our divorce lawyers, but we’re gonna try one more thing.’

Officials from Ohio’s Lucas County Domestic Relations Court echo Vanderpol’s assertions and claim that fewer couples are filing for divorce. The Domestic Relations Court cites that the amount of couples filing for divorce in 2008 was 1,839—a figure down sharply from the 2,047 divorce filings in 2003.

Ohio lawyer Colleen Dooley also claims that she’s seen the downward trend in divorcing couples reflected in her own practice, but expresses surprise at some of the non-traditional approaches to divorce that some couples are pursuing to save money in tight economic times. “I’ve had people who’ve tried to do their own divorce through something on the internet and it gets screwed up,” Dooley said. “I know in one situation the court kept rejecting their documents, and at one point they finally told them they’d do well to contact a lawyer or else their divorce would be dismissed.”

Financial difficulty can create strain in any marriage and is a common cause for couples to divorce. But the current economic climate coupled with the high costs of divorce is creating some previously unforeseen trends in couples filing for divorce, couples seeking less expensive alternatives to dissolve their marriage, and couples trying to work out their differences.

If you live in Colorado and are contemplating divorce, the family law firm Kaplan Law L.L.C., is staffed with experienced Colorado divorce attorneys who can assist with this difficult period of your life. Their Colorado divorce lawyers can explain your options, help you explore less expensive alternatives to divorce, and resolve child custody and visitation disputes.