UK statistics of divorce 2011 (survey graphic)

Tuesday, February 07, 2012 | Posted by: Fiona Cullinan
Categories: Infographic, Personal | Tags: statistics, survey, divorce, marriage, UK, 2011, report, matrimonial, Imerman, Radmacher, break-up, ruling, concealing assets

More relationships break up at the start of the year than at any other time – a phenomenon known as the ‘January jilt’.

Our 2011 matrimonial survey of leading UK family lawyers reveals some of the key statistics of UK divorce: at what point in the marriage they are they most likely to happen, for what reason, who are the main instigators, how many cases are concealing assets and more…

Click on the image to bring up a larger version of the graphic. Or read on to find out more…

Grant Thornton’s eighth annual matrimonial survey canvassed the opinions of 101 of the leading family lawyers in the UK.

We looked at the divorce arena in detail, as well as key issues such as the enforceability of pre-nuptial agreements following the 2010 Radmacher ruling, and the increased likelihood of concealing assets following the 2010 Imerman ruling.

You can download a copy of the full report here: For richer or poorer? What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is out of sight.

The key statistics of divorce

• Extra-marital affairs are no longer the most common reason for married couples to divorce – growing apart or falling out of love is (cited in 27% of cases).
• The majority (21%) of divorce proceedings were started within 11-20 years of marriage. Women were the main petitioners (68% of cases).
• The average value of total family assets distributed in a third of divorces was between £500,000 and £1 million.
• Concealed assets were identified in only 10% of cases, according to 40% of family solicitors surveyed (similar to 2010 figures). But following the Imerman v Tchenguiz appeal judgment in 2010 – which disallowed financial information obtained by force or subterfuge – well over half (61%) believed it more likely that assets would remain undisclosed as a result.
• The state of the economy was a factor in bringing divorce proceedings with 82% of respondents saying that couples had delayed divorcing due to the recession. The lack of value and/or liquidity of personal assets was the greatest contributor to this delay, although some had taken advantage of the economy and divorced during the recession in order to benefit from lower income and asset values leading to a lower settlement.
• ‘Pre-nups’ are on the rise following the Radmacher v Granatino ruling in 2010, which found that pre-nuptials ought to be given decisive weight. A total of 89% of respondents reported that they had seen an increase in the volume of their pre-nuptial work or that they expected to see a rise.

Grant Thornton’s annual matrimonial survey is carried out by our Forensic and Investigation Services practice. We are regularly called upon to provide advisory or expert witness services to assist solicitors, their client and the court in investigating and understanding the financial aspects of ancillary relief cases.

You might also find these posts useful:

* Tax facts to consider on divorce or separation
* A dozen tax reasons to get married
* Reasons for divorce vs state of the economy (2009 infographic)