New research¹ has found that one in ten married people in the UK have considered splitting up but decided against it, with the financial burden of divorce most commonly given as the main reason.

A challenging time

While respondents to the survey did cite other reasons for not divorcing a partner, for instance the effect it would have on their children, money was mentioned most often as the decisive factor. In essence, the research suggests that a significant proportion of people who are considering divorce decide they simply cannot afford to do so, instead preferring to stick with their partner and work on their relationship rather than having to face the financial consequences of splitting up.

Costs of living alone

The decision to go it alone and commit to financial independence does certainly come with significant cost implications, with people living on their own having to shoulder the full burden of all household bills. This will inevitably have a big impact on retirement plans, with analysis2 suggesting that, in order to fund a moderate standard of living in retirement, a single person would need around £275k more in their pension pot than a pensioner couple.

Financial advice is key

It is therefore vital that any couples considering divorce take expert advice. While for many people this involves consulting a solicitor, potential divorcees also need to seek financial advice.

If you need any advice in this area, then please do not hesitate to get in touch – we’re always here to offer our help and support.

¹Investec, 2024, 2Standard Life, 2024

The value of investments can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. The past is not a guide to future performance and past performance may not necessarily be repeated.

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