Til debt us do part
Stress over money is main reason couples will be divorcing in 2018
MONEY worries could lead more than one in 10 married couples to break up this year, research shows.
More than a fifth of people polled have considered ending relationships, with finances cited as the top cause at 12%.
The results were released today – dubbed “divorce day” because of the spike in couples finally splitting up after the stress of the festive period.
Other reasons for splits include working long hours, not spending time together, and a lack of sex. Family lawyer Lorraine Harvey, of Slater and Gordon, which carried out the research, said: “Those who contact us have generally spent months, sometimes years, thinking about divorce.
“But fears of upsetting their families, being alone or left out of pocket have put them off. Those relationships showing cracks are likely to buckle under the added pressure of Christmas – and money is a common issue.” More than a quarter of 2,093 people polled said finances were responsible for most rows, while nearly a quarter slept in separate rooms. Almost half said an infidelity could drive them to divorce and 8% confessed they have had a fling or may cheat this year. Overall, 42% of marriages now end in divorce, with the average marriage lasting 12 years.