The COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative effect on couples, with most facing unemployment and reduced income while spending more time with their partner.
Since COVID-19 has had an impact on family finances across Canada, it has led to an increase in separating couples. The added stress caused by the pandemic has influenced the spike in separations.
Upset couple in self isolation wearing face mask in home bedroom looking away. / Pixabay
Eric Vallillee, Managing Lawyer of Vallillee Family Lawyers in London, said they have been busier now than ever. He explained how COVID is affecting married couples.
“Most couples are spending a lot more time with each other,and also having the kids more present than they’re used to. For some other couples, the problem is that one person’s at home and the other person’s not. So some people are really feeling the strain of feeling like they’re taking care of the kids, while they’re also at school or feeling like they’re taking care of the household and their spouse is maybe not contributing in the way that they would want them to. So there’s all kinds of different stressors coming up that way, in addition to the financial issues that people are encountering.”
With most couples facing unemployment while spending more time with their partner, Family Law firms have seen an increase in demands. He then shared why he thinks why there is an increase in separating couples recently.
“There’s a lot of other people who have been talking about separating been thinking about it and discussing amicably with their spouse, and now they have time to pursue things like separation agreements, whereas before, maybe they didn’t. So there’s that dimension of things. I think that contributes to maybe people feeling like, that’s the last straw, and I’m done with this. So there’s probably a bit of both of that going on right now.”
The Vallillee Family Law office accepts family law and divorce cases at the London courthouse and matters involving the Children’s Aid Society of London & Middlesex. He shared what Vallillee Family Lawyers do help couples who are seeking separation.
“We provide our clients after we’ve reviewed the basic information that they bring to us a few of their general options and we look at the worst case scenarios and best case scenarios. We look at the finances so that we can give them an idea of what they might be looking at on those issues. We give our clients sort of all of their options and we try to steer them to the least difficult course of action that’s going to get them closest to their goals before we take those next steps.”
Even with therapy and hard work, some married couples will find it hard to survive this stressful time.
For couples who may be reluctant to seek help until things get worse, seeking a family lawyer is important to consider. You can email Vallillee Family Lawyers eric.v@valaw.ca or call 519-488-5263 to book a consultation or intake.
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