In times of economic trouble in Morris County, New Jersey, there tends to be fewer divorces filed. This may be due to the fact that couples cannot afford to separate when faced with economic uncertainty and the threat of financial trouble.
This seems to be the case during the latest economic downturn that occurred a few years ago. According to a University of Arizona economics professor, in 2009, the divorce rate in the United States was the lowest it has been in 40 years. The professor points to data from the National Center for Health Statistics as the source for this finding. This is in contrast to the surge in the number of divorces between 1940 and 1981. During this time span, divorce rates more than doubled.
When the economy took a turn for the worse, a couple was forced to put off their divorce in order to keep their engineering firm afloat. The two had been married 35 years and could not afford to divorce as it would negatively affect the business. With the improving economy, the business has been able to pull in more revenue and has allowed the couple to afford going ahead with their divorce.
If you have felt like you have been stuck in an unhappy marriage out of financial necessity, you may benefit from speaking with an attorney experienced in family law matters. A lawyer can review your case and may be able to help you work out a fair and equitable divorce settlement.
Source: Bloomberg, “Worsening U.S. Divorce Rate Points to Improving Economy,” Steve Matthews, Feb. 18, 2014
