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Will the U.S. See its Divorce Rate Spike After the COVID-19 Quarantine Ends?

With so many American residents stuck at home with their families, prognosticators have predicted that several months down the road, the country could experience a baby boom and a divorce deluge. Unlike a cozy blizzard that keeps you home from work for a few days, a global pandemic that triggers shelter-in-place orders spreading over multiple months might result in more breakups than babies.

In sections of China, quarantines that lasted two months had many couples racing to divorce attorneys’ doors once the restrictions were lifted. The situation could have motivated spouses to make a move for several different reasons, such as:

  • Spending too much time together — If absence makes the heart grow fonder and familiarity breeds contempt, perhaps some couples broke up because they were forced to spend nearly all of their time together for weeks on end. This might even be more of a problem in China where typical residences are smaller. Without all of the distractions usually provided by everyday life, some Americans might also choose to move on if the enforced closeness led to a partner getting on their nerves.
  • Realizing that there’s no time like the present — A harrowing experience frequently prompts people to evaluate where their life is headed and question if significant changes would make them happier.
  • Worries about money — Regardless of whether a pandemic has led to financial chaos or families are dealing with the regular bills, battles over money can rip a couple apart. Tensions could be heightened by unemployment, furloughs or reduced business traffic.

No one can be sure what part of the spike in China’s divorce rate stemmed from the coronavirus and what part reflects pent-up demand after a long period of closures and exposure fears. Time will tell what will happen in the United States, but if you are looking to end your marriage, you should consult with an experienced divorce lawyer promptly. Seeking advice now can help you avoid mistakes that could hurt you in decisions relating to property division, alimony, custody and child support. Eventually the quarantine will end and you will be able to leave the house, and, if you need to, your marriage.

Contact an experienced divorce lawyer to schedule an appointment  

Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P. A. assists spouses at every stage of the marriage dissolution process. For a consultation, please call 651-379-3024 or contact the firm online.

 

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  • "Tori had a thorough understanding of my situation and made excellent recommendations to resolve my concerns. She was persistent on communication and handled everything in a very timely manner. I would definitely hire her again in the future if needed." - M.K.

  • "With Appelhof, Pfeifer & Hart, P.A., it is like having a family physician. They are all knowledgeable, thorough, comforting, and the only call I need to make for all my legal needs for many years to come. No matter what the matter, I totally trust their advice and commitment to me and my family." - J.N.

  • "Mary from APH Law helped me thru a difficult divorce. She and the entire staff was there for me every step of the way helping me on what to do next. They listened to what I wanted and helped me achieve what matter the most to me in the divorce settlement." - Dana C.

  • "I chose APH after my initial consultation with Mary. I felt my best interest would be represented. The entire process went excellent, the attorneys and staff communicated effectively and efficiently with me throughout the process as they needed to. Being new to the legal process and verbiage, they walked me and talked me through the next steps and the jargon, I felt completely comfortable and represented. I hope I never have to use legal services again but if I do I will call Mary at APH Law and know that I will be taken care of." - Jeff M.

  • "Divorce is a time of emotion and stress. Mary Pfeifer , My lawyer was professional and compassionate. She was very informative through the process. Her insight helped me in my decisions. She worked hard to obtain a settlement which was fair to both parties. Though, I hope I won't need her help again. It is reassuring to know a good person that is willing to help." - Rod S.

  • "I first came to Ms. Jacquelyn Lutz of Appelhof, Pfeifer and Hart in October of 2016. It was definitely the worst time in my life and she compassionately spoke with me about my options. Ms. Lutz thoroughly explained the laws, statutes, process and what to expect going forward. What was supposed to be one case, turned into three intricate cases that took a huge toll on me and my family. Ms. Lutz represented me in court on all three cases with a vast knowledge of the laws and how to proceed accordingly. During all three cases she kept me informed, calm, gave me resources to utilize, and (most important) gave me a realistic view of what may come next. Ms. Lutz knew each case required a great deal of knowledge and creative thinking on how to legally proceed forward with each case. My family and friends are forever grateful for the amazing representation by Ms. Lutz. I highly recommend Ms. Lutz for anyone needing or considering superb representation for any kind of family law. " - M.H.

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