The Early Warnings of Divorce

Nearly a quarter of divorcees consider leaving their partner within the first two years of marriage, according to research commissioned by the London law firm which handled the divorce of Diana, Princess of Wales.

Despite couples' dread of partners succumbing to the "seven year itch", a third of divorcees had filed for divorce before their fifth wedding anniversary, said the study, conducted on behalf of lawyers from Mishcon de Reya. More than a quarter (27 per cent) of divorcees said that their "sexless" marriages drove them apart while one in 10 said their spouse's family had forced them to divorce.

Women say they come off worse in divorce, but more men say their divorces would have been less costly if they had a pre-nuptial agreement. Sandra Davis, head of family law at Mishcon de Reya, said: "People start to think about divorce many years before they actually get divorced." Couples should have "clearer expectations" and a "frank discussion about where they are going".

She said there was a strong case for making the "pre-nup" – the essential ingredient of any Hollywood break-up – legally binding in Britain. "Pre-nups are not just for the rich and famous. They can help people appreciate what their prospective spouse's attitude to money is."  Ms Davis said: "You would not enter into a commercial transaction without a contract. Marriage is a business contract with emotion laid on top."

A total of 546 divorcees were interviewed by YouGov, the polling organisation, for Mishcon de Reya. For women, divorce is highest among those aged 25 to 29. Divorce for men peaks among the 30-34 age group.

By Sarah Womack, Social Affairs Correspondent, News.telegraph
(Filed: 09/03/2005)

Comments

[Anthony]

My wife just forced me out of the house a few days ago. I do not have the money to make the house payments and pay for an apartment. She has no income to make the payments, so how can I force the sale of the house before it goes into forclosure? I can make one more payment.

[Parker]

My wife moved out(again) a month ago and took our two small boys. She has done this 4 times since we were married 4 years ago. This time was the cruelest. She wanted to move to CA with her parents when her father got a job there from NC. I refused to let her leave and take the children so, she convinced me to move and give our marriage a fresh start in a new place. Well, immediately she started complaining and saying she did not really think we were going to make it, etc.... I now have not seen my boys in a month, she refuses to let them visit me. I have and empty 3 bed room apartment and a bed room apiece for the boys, she is sleeping on her parents couch with the older boy, age 4 while the younger one sleeps in a playpen in the living room. I am about to lose my job due to no transporatation (boss was friend of father) and no car, no drivers liscens and no family. What is my recourse? I cannot afford an expensive attorney and her father is paying for all her legal expenses thru his churches parishoners (he is a preacher of all things!) any help would be greatly apprecieated.

[Lisa Weiner]

It's so expensive and time consuming to file divorce, not to mention I have been out of work taking care of kids. My husband pulled a fast one and told me he is leaving. I knew that I would recieve some money, but it seemed he was hiding stuff from me. I used Coface North America to find what assets my husband "actually" had. I was only married for 6 years and didn't know how much property he owned. When this was discovered by an asset search, he had no where to hide and I recieved much more money than I would have if I wouldn't have completed this search. i spoke with a nice man at Coface by the name of Tom Dickinson (888-813-9429). He was very helpful in every facet. The search was done within 2 weeks. My settlement is almost complete and at least I now have finacial security for myself and kids. I would recomend this for any woman going through divorce that wants best settlement results.