According to industry experts, the number of divorce filings are on the rise nationwide, including here in Washington. But what changed in the last few years to start this revolution and is are there alternatives for couples who may want separation without the financial burden?
As most people will point out, the recession and the housing market bubble affected more than just the economy and mortgage rates. As some family law experts will tell you, many couples felt trapped in a marriage they wanted to leave simply because they didn’t have the financial stability necessary to go through such a process. Now with the economy on a slow rise to recovery and with the housing market finally seeing large growth, some couples are pushing for the divorce they waited years to file.
On top of the economic boom, some financial experts say that one of the new fiscal tax law deals that passed back in January may also be to blame for the increase in divorces as well. Under the new law, couples making more than $450,000 a year could save over $27,000 a year if they divorce and file as single. But a move such as this does not come without its own costs. Couples choosing to follow this path could be met with high costs and long battles that more than offset this perceived savings.
Let’s say you still want a divorce but don’t want the financial burden associated with the process? As we’ve mentioned to readers of our blog in the past, divorce mediation can be quite helpful in situations such as this because the couple are the ones leading the process along, often saving themselves thousands of dollars and plenty of time as well. While this may not be an option for everyone, it’s certainly a choice that can be made, especially for those fed up with “sticking it out.”
Source: The Fiscal Times, “As Home Values Rise, So Does Divorce,” Blaire Briody, May 17, 2013