A Bridgnorth law firm says financial pressures have caused more couples to reach breaking point than ever this January, a month which traditionally has a very high divorce rate anyway.
Mortimers, which also has offices in Ludlow and Hereford, has admitted that they are seeing more clients filing for divorce than usual and it is largely down to the credit crunch.
And the Chief Constable of West Mercia Police has said they are expecting to see an increase in domestic violence.
It comes after a new survey claimed that one in four people claim their relationship is under strain because of money problems.
Online advice centre InsideDivorce.com found almost two million couples in Britain were suffering marital difficulties and a further 1.3 million people were considering splitting up. However, 11 per cent of those polled state they are being forced to stay in a failing relationship because the financial crisis means they cannot afford to leave.
And 17 per cent of divorced men blamed financial problems for the end of their marriage.
Bryony Walker, a partner at the Bridgnorth office of Mortimers who is a specialist in family law, said that it is an unfortunate fact that the economic downturn has led to more divorces in the UK.
She said: “We tend to find that December is a quieter month, but come January people seem to want to make a clean start. It is even harder for people with the property market as it is. Reaching a final resolution is not easy and this just increases the agony.”
Chief Constable Paul West said the depressed economy, with company closures and job losses, could impact on domestic crime.
“Increased tension at home will have the potential for increased domestic abuse. My own guess is that this is where we are more likely to see an impact on calls for our service,” he said this week.
The Law Society is advising anyone considering divorce to seek expert legal advice from a specialist family law solicitor.
Paul Marsh, the Law Society president, said: “Divorce is stressful, the legalities can be complicated and emotions can cloud reasoning, so it is important to consult an expert from the outset to receive independent, impartial, objective advice from someone who will steer you clear of the legal pitfalls and safeguard your interests.”