Coronavirus Could Lead to Increase in Divorces

COVID-19 has caused panic across Maryland, other states in the United States and, quite frankly, all over the world. Hundreds of thousands of people have contracted the illness. More than 6,000 people have died. People are buying out all available toilet paper, cleaning products and hand sanitizers.

As of March 15, Maryland has seen 32 confirmed cases of the deadly virus, and the numbers are rapidly increasing. As such, many workers have been sent home or asked to work remotely. Residents have chosen to quarantine themselves.

This quarantine can have good and bad consequences. People get to spend more time with their loved ones. On the other hand, spending so much time with your spouse can also cause marital strife and lead to divorce.

People are scared and panicked. In these trying times, they can seek solace and comfort from loved ones. They will use this isolation period to better communicate with their spouse and do things together. They may develop a new appreciation for their partner.

Not all marriages will survive the coronavirus, though. In fact, divorces are on the rise in China as couples are involuntarily spending 24/7 together. These dramatic times tend to heighten emotions, and if a couple isn’t getting along before the quarantine, then chances are that spending even more time together will only make things worse.

Quarantines caused by natural disasters tend to result in two outcomes: divorces and births. The outcome will depend on the state of your marriage. If you and your spouse are happily married, then it shouldn’t be a big deal. However, some marriages involve domestic violence, so abuse from a spouse can be a serious situation.

Hopefully, couples will see stronger marriages from the quarantine. They can benefit from dinners together, family game nights, evening walks and other things that can bring about communication and family togetherness. They can even spend time gardening, playing sports outdoors and discussing world events in a polite manner.

Do your best to stay positive during this time. Try to avoid tension by refraining from discussing certain topics, such as politics and religion. If there is tension, there may not be many options if they decide to leave the house, but they can still visit with friends and other family members. They can also escape online or with help from their phone. Social media can keep you connected and allow you to vent your frustrations. Calling, texting and emailing loved ones can help you stay in touch and hopefully bring about some positivity during these dark times.

Contact a Maryland Divorce Lawyer Today

Too much time spent together in a marriage is not always helpful. People need time apart and alone time can help a person organize their thoughts and stay sane, especially during a crisis like the rapidly spreading coronavirus.

Are you thinking about divorce? The Columbia divorce lawyers at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. can help you make the next move. We have two offices to serve you. To schedule a free consultation, call (410) 774-5987 or fill out the online form.

Resources:

wbaltv.com/article/maryland-coronavirus-in-numbers/31474817#

qz.com/1818731/how-to-deal-with-your-partner-child-parent-in-quarantine/

https://www.marylandlawhelp.com/should-i-get-a-prenuptial-agreement/