The Palmer Law Firm
  • Home
  • Why Choose Us?
  • FREE CONSULTATION
  • CALL: 832-819-3529
  • Blog
  • Bio
  • Client Process

BREAKING UP IS HARD TO "FLU"

4/17/2020

 
Picture
(Author's Note:  Yes I realize the COVID-19 is NOT the flu.  But there is no vaccine yet for bad puns.)

With more than a month gone by in the Coronavirus shut-down even the most Pollyannaish ,  cream puff, "pie- in-the-Sky people who are extolling the virtues of the increased family time are beginning to sour to seeing the same faces over and over again. Even couples who normally get along are feeling the aggravation of day to day 24/7 interaction.

“Togetherness” is all fine and good, but without any chance of real alone time many married couples are considering calling it quits.
And the news is awash right now with predictions of a spike in the divorce rates as a result. Looking at China, many divorce attorneys are anticipating a big increase in the number of divorce filings.
But this has not turned out to be true at least not yet.

Is Staying At Home Actually Promoting Marriage Stability?
In my firm, prior to the mandatory stay-at-home orders, I was working long hours to keep up with the new filings that were coming in over the Holidays. But now the phone calls has slowed to a trickle. This is the same for other family law attorneys.
So does this mean that shelter in place orders are actually reinforcing marriages? I don't think so.
It's too early to draw conclusion about the coronavirus crisis and its impact on marriages In Texas. However I suspect there is a group of people who intended to separate before the lock down and still want to do so but for financial reasons are deciding they can't afford to right now.

Financial Downturns and Divorce Rates
According to the Texas workforce Commission More than a million Texans have filed for unemployment benefits in the last month . That number doesn't include those employed but working reduced hours.
Divorce filings are down and the number is relatively low.  Will we see a sudden spike?  I remain skeptical.   Prior to the 2008 Great Recession, divorce rates were at an all time high . But then when the market crashed the rate dropped 18% and has remained so to this day.
Under the present crisis we're going to see a much longer and deeper recession then even the prior one. If history holds out, we will see you continuing decrease in the divorce filing rate. That may change if the economy bounces back suddenly but although it is certain that people are tired of seeing each other it is not certain if that will prompt them to file for divorce before they have enough money to make that happen.

Alternatives to the High Cost of Divorce
What this amounts to is a lot of miserable people . Not only will everyone be hit hard financially but they will be in sour relationships that will increase the stress . However there are alternatives.
People may try to do their divorce if they feel is uncontested . However the resources that used to be there such as County law libraries no longer available except electronically.

Mediation
Online mediation is another alternative to resolving conflict but it does not completely address the need to have the agreement converted into a divorce decree and to have that decree approved by the judge. Although the civil courthouse is are closed for anything but emergency issues the courts are allowing divorce orders to be submitted electronically by submission of an affidavit.

Limited Scope Representation
Another creative solution is to hire an attorney who does limited scope representation. This attorney can be hired to get people who do their own voices through the more complicated parts of the divorce process yet not hiring them for full representation. This saves people thousands of dollars because they're only hiring the attorney as needed. However, most attorneys do not except this kind of employment.
There can be no doubt that the Corona virus shut down is changing our family dynamics and the way that we get divorces. There is a lot of uncertainty. And many people already feeling the pressure of loss of income and increased conflict at home are looking for some relief.

Two Lessons
There are two at least two lessons to be learned during this time of social distancing and stay-at-home orders.  The first is that we have to find new ways to get things done.  We still need to do all the things we did before, but we now have to find different ways to do it.  People are still people.  They still going to need to eat, to earn a living, etc. and yes- occasionally get out of bad marriages. These things can be delayed for a short time, but eventually, necessity (the mother of invention) will force people to find inventive solutions.  The other lesson is that we are all connected.  What affects one, affects the many.  Whether it is a stimulus check, or a neighbor who sewed a mask for you, we are re-learning that we don't have to go it alone.  The same holds true of getting access to the justice system.  Trying to do your own divorce is daunting but you should not let that prevent you from getting the relief you need.  You should think out of the box and work with professionals who are willing to come up with cost effective and creative solutions. 

Veronica D link
11/3/2023 07:55:19 pm

I enjoyed reading tthis


Comments are closed.
    Need more information about this or other family law topics in Texas?
    ​
    Click the button below to book a

    FREE ATTORNEY CONSULTATION
    Book Now
    (832) 819-3529
    Picture
    Attorney Sean Y. Palmer has over 20  years of legal experience as a Texas Attorney and over 25 years as a Qualified Mediator in civil, family and CPS cases. Palmer practices exclusively in the area Family Law and handles Divorce, Child Custody, Child Support, Adoptions, and other Family Law Litigation cases. He represents clients throughout the greater Houston Galveston area, including: Clear Lake, NASA, Webster, Friendswood, Seabrook, League City, Galveston, Texas City, Dickinson, La Porte, La Marque, Clear Lake Shores, Bacliff, Kemah, Pasadena, Baytown, Deer Park, Harris County, and Galveston County, Texas.
    Call
    ​ (832) 819-3529

    If you live in the Houston area and would like to consult with one of our attorneys, please leave your information below.

    Submit

    Archives

    January 2025
    December 2024
    October 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    May 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    September 2022
    July 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    July 2019
    June 2019
    November 2016
    October 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014

    Categories

    All
    Adoption
    Alimony (spousal Maintenance)
    Bonuses
    Coronavirus
    Custody
    Disasters
    Divorce
    Divorce League City
    Embryos
    Grounds For Modification
    Harassment
    Holidays
    In Vitro Fertilization
    Legal Marriage
    Legislation
    Litigation
    Mediation
    Parenting
    Prenuptial Agreement
    Property
    Property Rights
    Single Fathers
    Social Media
    Statistics
    Tax Consequences
    Texas Divorce
    Torts

    RSS Feed

The Palmer Law Firm

www.thepalmerlawfirm.com
(c) 2024 Sean Y. Palmer

DISCLAIMER:
​This website is for educational and informational purposes only and is not, nor is it intended to be,  legal advice. Viewing of this website does not create an attorney-client relationship. All legal matters should be discussed with a licensed attorney before you take any action. You should consult with an attorney for advice for your individual situation. Sean Y. Palmer is the attorney responsible for the content of this site. 



DATA NOTIFICATION:
Pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and the Texas Medical Records Privacy Act of the Texas Health and Safety Code, consumers are noticed that their protected healthcare information may be transmitted electronically.​




​

  • Home
  • Why Choose Us?
  • FREE CONSULTATION
  • CALL: 832-819-3529
  • Blog
  • Bio
  • Client Process