Divorces plummet to lowest level since 1971 ‘as cost of living crisis makes it too expensive to split up’

DIVORCES have plummeted to their lowest level since 1971 — as lawyers say the cost of living crisis makes it too expensive to split up.

Official figures released yesterday showed 80,057 couples legally parted in 2022, down 30 per cent on the previous year.

Legal experts said the price of going it alone was making people less likely to get unhitched.

The average cost of divorce is around £14,500, according to insurers Aviva, including the standard court fee of £593 and lawyers’ bills.

And the prospect of paying to set up a new home on their own means unhappy couples are still living together.

Katie O’Callaghan, of lawyers Boodle Hatfield, said: “Many are cautious to make significant decisions, particularly those likely to adversely impact their financial security, in times of economic turmoil.”

Sarah Jane Boon, of Charles Russell Speechlys, agreed “financial challenges” of the cost of living crisis are a “likely contributor” to divorce rates falling.

Legal & General recently said money pressures had delayed 19 per cent of divorces.

The Office for National Statistics said the drop was also partly down to backlogs at family courts and a minimum 20-week wait in new no-fault divorces.

The average marriage before divorce is now 12.9 years.