With the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forcing families to practice social distancing, you may be like many, who now find themselves in their homes, spending additional time with your spouse. You may be like those who enjoy the extra time, enjoying daily activities and bonding.

However, you may be like those experiencing marital problems that have been exacerbated by the confines of the current predicament.

Divorce rates to spike

During this pandemic, divorces in the United States are expected to rise, according to Page Six. Sequestered into a confined space, unhappy couples are forced to confront their existing problems. These issues had been building over time, come to a climax, and as a result, many do not survive.

“Many fights coming out of this will stem from not having space, and being overwhelmed,” said clinical director of the Ackerman Institute for the Family Melissa Thoen.

If you find yourself in one of these types of situations, where you believe that your marriage cannot be saved, it is necessary to take legal steps to get ahead. Contacting a family law attorney, like the ones at Cordell & Cordell, will give you an advantage. They will be able to navigate the complex waters of pursuing a divorce during this complex and ever-changing environment.

Divorce rates rise in China

Around the world, many who find themselves affected by the Coronavirus are looking to end their unhappy marriages. For example, in China, divorce rates are spiking, according to The Golden Times. When marriage registration offices in several districts of Xi’an, the capital of northwest China’s Shaanxi providence March 1, reopened, they reported an unprecedented number of divorce appointments.

This marriage registration office has a 14 appointment limits on the number of divorce appointments it will accept per day and has repeatedly hit that limit. Officials in the city’s Yanta district also have reported similar occurrences and have attributed these high rates to the homebound strategy of combatting the Coronavirus.

Officials also reported that in some instances, the decision to divorce was made out of impulse; that the closed quarters created a toxic environment, but in their heart of hearts, they do not wish to end their relationship. In these rare instances, the couples actually remarried shortly after their quick divorces.

Be proactive

With an unknown timeline of recovery in the United States, the impulse to divorce may not be there. If you are experiencing marital problems and feel that your marriage is ending, there are ways you can be proactive in your divorce during your practice of social distancing.

In addition to practicing good hygiene and sanitation during the Coronavirus pandemic, you have the ability of building your divorce case during this time. Cordell & Cordell Partner Dan Cuneo recently spoke during the “Can the Coronavirus Affect Custodial Rights? How Divorces and Parenting Time May Be Impacted” webinar, and highlighted ways that you can be proactive.

“Document. Document. Document,” Mr. Cuneo said. “We advise all of our clients this exact advice, and we advise everyone that comes in to meet with us that the more documentation you have, the better prepared you are, hopefully, the better results you are going to get.”

Mr. Cuneo also talked about the impact of the Coronavirus on family courts and how the fact that they are being restricted, there are steps that you and your attorney can take, in order to proceed with a divorce.

“Even though courts are restricting what can be heard, that doesn’t mean they’re eliminating filing,” Mr. Cuneo said. “That doesn’t mean they’re eliminating hearings that can be heard. It is essential and important that if there’s any issue that comes up, we want you to contact us right away.”

Related coronavirus coverage:

Free Webinar: Can the Coronavirus Affect Custodial Rights? How Divorces and Parenting Time May Be Impacted

Can I make up lost parenting time due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Coronavirus and Child Custody: Co-parenting During the Pandemic

Does a Shelter in Place Order Limit my Right to Parenting Time?

How COVID-19 Impacts Child Custody – Men’s Divorce Podcast

COVID-19’s Effect on Child Support and Alimony Payments – Men’s Divorce Podcast

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What Should Dads Be Doing During the Pandemic – Men’s Divorce Podcast

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COVID-19 and Divorce FAQ – Men’s Divorce Podcast

COVID-19 and Divorce FAQs Part 2 – Men’s Divorce Podcast

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Losing Custody During COVID-19 – Men’s Divorce Podcast

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Dan Pearce is an Online Editor for Lexicon, focusing on subjects related to the legal services of customers, Cordell & Cordell and Cordell Planning Partners. He has written countless pieces on MensDivorce.com, detailing the plight of men and fathers going through the divorce experience, as well as the issues seniors and their families experience throughout the estate planning journey on ElderCareLaw.com. Mr. Pearce has managed websites and helped create content, such as the Men’s Divorce Newsletter and the YouTube series, “Men’s Divorce Countdown.” He also has been a contributor on both the Men’s Divorce Podcast and ElderTalk with TuckerAllen. Mr. Pearce assisted in fostering a Cordell Planning Partners practice area specific for Veterans, as they deal with the intricacies of their benefits while planning for the future. He also helped create the Cordell Planning Partners Resource Guide and the Cordell Planning Partners Guide to Alternative Residence Options, specific for seniors with questions regarding their needs and living arrangements.