News

Million of Brits are stuck in unhappy marriages but will not walk away for fear of financial or emotional hardship, a report revealed yesterday. The study revealed 59 per cent of women would end their marriage today if their future financial security was assured.
Meanwhile 51 per cent of men said they were in a 'loveless' marriage.

It also emerged that 13 per cent of women and 10 per cent of men wished they'd married someone else. Yesterday a Relate spokesperson said: ''It's so easy for married couples to get stuck in a rut once the realities of paying the bills and getting the childrens' breakfast sets in.

''Relationships inevitably change over time. Couples who address their problems and talk to each other when they feel they may be taken for granted, stand a better chance of pulling through.

''Divorce impacts on every single area of a person's life. Dividing up the family home, pets and everything they own together is just part of the process.''

The survey was commissioned by top London solicitors Seddons in the wake of a rush of divorce applications in the first week of the New Year. Twelve per cent of couples said they are in a loveless relationship and over a third (35 per cent) believe their marriage will turn stale in the near future.

A staggering 56 per cent of people admitted they weren't completely happy in their relationship - and more than half said they had considered splitting from their partner. The poll, of 2,000 married Brits also revealed that 12 per cent would stay in an unhappy relationship just for an easy life. One in five quizzed said they wished to split from the person they're with but are kept from doing so.

A massive 29 per cent said they were staying in a doomed marriage to save themselves going through a massive upheaval - and 37 per cent said they were staying for the sake of the children.Some are worried about what they would lose if they left their partner, with 42 per cent fearing they would have to give up their home if they split.

Almost a third of those surveyed are worried they would be left with absolutely nothing if they walked out on their marriage. And 30 per cent of men are scared that they would have to leave without their children. More than half also admit they would miss the financial security that comes from being with their partner. But nearly half of those polled would stay with their partner for the sake of the family unit.

Deborah Jeff, from Seddons Solicitors which carried out the poll, said: ''One in three marriages ends in divorce but only one in five use mediation.

''Worryingly, some 60 per cent of people in the survey were not aware of how mediation can be used to improve communication between the parties, minimise the impact of divorce and keep legal fees to a minimum.

''This means that many couples will spend too much money on lawyers' fees and many may end up with less than ideal contact arrangements - which can be disastrous for parents and children alike.

''It is also important for separating couples to consider how mediation after financial disclosure may result in a quicker financial settlement, again keeping costs to a minimum and reducing acrimony in those discussions".
Half of Brits would consider going to see a counsellor in an attempt to get their relationship back on track before heading for the divorce courts.

However, one in five don't reckon it would be worth the hassle.

For a quarter of Brits quizzed, the thought of high legal fees prevent them from having a divorce and six out 10 haven't heard of mediation for divorce settlements.

For further information, please contact:
Deborah Jeff 0207 725 8041
Partner Seddons deborahj@seddons.co.uk

About Deborah Jeff

Deborah is the Head of the Family Department at Seddons and specialises in all aspects of family law. Much of her work includes divorce proceedings and financial settlements (often featuring pension sharing and maintenance for children and former spouses) as well as cases with an international element. She also has considerable experience in children issues handling work such as contact, residence and parental responsibility orders as well as child abduction proceedings, blood testing to ascertain paternity of a child and mirror orders of a decision made in another jurisdiction. Deborah has had a number of articles published in The Times. Most recently she had an article published on Family Law Website regarding the high profile case of OS -v- DS. Deborah is a member of Resolution (Formerly the “Solicitors Family Law Association”).

About Seddons

Seddons is a specialist London based law firm with 18 partners and over 70 staff specialising in property, disputes and people. The firm provides a range of legal services for high value individuals including property investment, divorce and family matters and wills, tax and probate matters. A significant part of the business involving eight partners is in commercial and residential property matters. Its five partner litigation team – with expertise in areas as diverse as real property, commercial contract disputes, insolvency, intellectual property, fraud and personal injury – has a reputation for tackling complex cases under difficult circumstances.

Seddons Solicitors
5 Portman Square
London
W1H 6NT