With one in three marriages ending in divorce, many people will find themselves dealing with legal and financial break-up issues at least once in their lives.
Financial expert Keith Churchouse ended up in the divorce courts twice - but he's found happiness with his third marriage. Now he's decided to write a book to help others cope with the big D.
Breaking up doesn't seem so hard to do for some folk who keep bouncing back up the aisle after a split. But divorce is stressful for everyone, whether they're in the public eye or not.
And many ordinary couples will also face the prospect of losing homes when they split. But the recession is actually making some couples consider staying under the same roof - after they divorce.
Keith's book, Addicted to Wedding Cake: The Journey Of Divorce, touches on the legal side of divorce, but he also gives tips on organising your finances through the divorce process. And he has identified some divorce trends:
UNDER THE SAME ROOF
The economic downturn and house-price crash has led some couples to continue to live together even after they split.
Keith said: "Couples are still getting the financial settlement but may decide they're going to defer selling a house because it's not worth what it was five years ago. Some are waiting until the property values increase, agreeing to live under the sameroof.
"It can make for an awkward period. Divorce is an extremely stressful period in anyone's life, especially so if you're still living in the same household."OVER-50SIncreasing numbers are getting divorced once the kids fly the nest.Keith said: "There seems to be a growing number of over-50s going through the divorce system. The kids reach 16 to 18 and disappear off on gap years or to university."The parents decide they've done that phase of their lives, the children have turned out nicely, so let's go our separate ways."People are living into their eighties and realising if they divorce at 55, they've still got another three decades to enjoy themselves. Empty-nesters are putting things in perspective."Many of the over-50s have enjoyed the benefit of final salary pension schemes and house price inflation over their lifetimes, leaving them with a good standard of living, even after a divorce."Their decision to divorce is their decision - and some live to regret it. This is because they find that they miss their friend of the last 20 or 35 years, rather than their ex-spouse."CLUSTER DIVORCESWhen one couple divorce, there can be a knock-on effect among their friends.Keith said: "There's a report in America that talks about cluster divorces as a recognised situation.
"If one couple in a group gets divorced, you tend to find the other couples scatter as though it was something contagious."Then others in the group get divorced as well. It may be people question what they are getting from their own relationship."ECONOMY BREAK-UPSMoney worries are leading some couples to give up on marriage.Keith said: "Love leaves the room when the money runs out."When people are relying on bonuses and large salaries coming in, they'll keep going."Then you hit these economic times with unemployment and people decide to go their separate ways. Possibly the money was keeping them together."RECOVERYKeith has come up with some tips to get your finances back on track after a break-up.He said: "As with any good financial planning, you need to start early."Keep three to six months' income as an emergency fund for immediate cash needs.Don't hold too much money with one financial institution in case they go under. Consider re-writing your will to reflect your changed circumstances and update your pension death nominations.Keep up to date with any payments you have agreed to ensure you keep your credit rating positive.
