42% of Marriages End in Divorce

The Office for National Statistics has released annual statistics on divorces that took place in England and Wales in 2011.
Based on marriage, divorce and mortality statistics for 2010, it is estimated that the percentage of marriages ending in divorce is now 42%, compared with 45% in 2005. It is reported that the number of divorces in England and Wales in 2011 was 117,558, a decrease of 1.7% since 2010.

Despite rises in previous years, the report shows that there is a general decline in the number of people getting divorced. However, it has also been reported that the number of men and women who choose to cohabit has risen in all age groups. The fall in divorce rates could therefore linked to the decline in marriage.

My colleague, Vicki McLynn discusses these statistics in a recent article in The Guardian newspaper.

If you are considering divorce or separation from your partner, it is important to seek some objective, expert support from specialist family solicitors who can help you and your family.

We are a team of specialist family law solicitors in Manchester. For more divorce advice please read our family law blog or follow us on Twitter @Divorce_experts.