Divorces can be extremely expensive for some American spouses – to the point where they are virtually unattainable. This leaves many in precarious situations. They lack the funds to officially divorce, instead remaining in a state of limbo for years or even decades. Although separation is common among estranged spouses, some of these individuals cannot even afford to live under separate roofs. How common is this issue in the United States? How can we make divorce more affordable for the average American?
Divorces are Becoming Too Expensive for Spouses Around the World
The truth is that the unattainably high price of divorce is an issue for spouses around the world. In July 2024, an Australian report highlighted the fact that many spouses were living under the same roof despite wanting to divorce. Although a few thousand dollars might not seem like much to middle-income individuals, it can take some people years to save up the necessary funds for even the cheapest divorce possible.
This issue is especially prevalent among seniors who no longer work. These individuals may rely on extremely limited income with no money left over after expenses are paid. The same logic applies to disabled individuals.
But even for young, healthy individuals earning relatively low wages, divorce may be completely unattainable. Many Americans live paycheck to paycheck, and some are already struggling with serious credit card debt. These individuals lack even a few hundred dollars in savings to cover an unplanned emergency. Even $2,000 in legal fees may be completely unaffordable for these kinds of spouses during divorce.
One survey found that 33% of married spouses in the United States are avoiding divorce because of their financial situations. A further 18% said that divorce was completely out of the question due to financial pressures.
Inflation is Making a Bad Situation Worse for Many Spouses
Most spouses do not admit that divorce is “completely out of the picture.” Instead, they tell themselves that they are simply “delaying” divorce – usually by around six months. The goal for many of these spouses is to save for a few months, set aside the necessary funds for divorce, and finally end their marriages.
The problem is that the rate of inflation continues to rise in the United States. Even when inflation stalls or dips, prices are still increasing – just slower than they were in previous months. What this means is simple: Spouses who delay divorce often end up digging themselves deeper and deeper into a hole. Divorce becomes increasingly unattainable, and spouses face the prospect of spending the rest of their lives in a state of estranged separation.
Divorce lawyers, like all business owners, must increase their prices in the face of rapid inflation. They cannot be blamed for this, as problematic inflation is a symptom of a much wider systemic issue.
This is just one example of how economic issues affect more than just numbers on a computer screen. Rapid inflation and a struggling economy can affect nuclear families: The most basic “building blocks” of American society.
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