Survey Finds Divorce Filings Have Declined

A survey conducted by the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML) has found the number of divorce filings has decreased significantly since the fourth quarter of 2008.

According to the survey, 57% of the attorneys who responded said there have been fewer divorce filings, with only 14% of respondents claiming they have seen the number of divorce filings increase.

Although divorce filings may be down, 39% of attorneys said they have seen an increase in requests for child support modifications, and 42% of attorneys said they have seen an increase in modifications for alimony/spousal support.

What's to blame for the decrease in divorce filings? Experts believe the economy is playing a huge part.  Gary Nickelson, president of AAML, believes the tough economic times have made couples in unhappy marriages more willing to try and work through their differences, at least until the recession starts to turn around. Divorce cases can be very expensive, especially in contested divorce cases where the parties involved are unable to amicably reach decisions over the dissolution of their marriage.

DivorceForum, a marriage and divorce resource center, has data that also indicates divorce filings have declined.  DivorceForum's data suggests that .38% of the U.S. population get a divorce a year, compared to .48% of the population in 1992. 

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