Divorce Attorneys: Tough Times Keep Spouses Together

As the recession shrinks salaries, bank accounts and job opportunities, it may also play a role in decreasing the frequency of divorce proceedings in the U.S.

According to a recent survey distributed to members of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), more than half of respondents said that the number of divorce cases has dropped significantly during the current economic downturn.

In total, 57 percent of the divorce attorneys cited fewer filings since the last quarter of 2008, compared with recent years. Just 14 percent noted an increase in filings over the same period.

"The current economic climate is proving to be far more unforgiving than estranged couples seeking a divorce, said Gary Nickelson, president of the AAML. "Forced to weigh damaged marriages against tight budgets and uncertain financial outlooks, many spouses seem more willing to try and wait out the recessionary storm."

The AAML is an organization of about 1,600 matrimonial lawyers that strives to improve the study, practice and standards of divorce law for American families.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that there are 3.5 divorces for every 1,000 people in the U.S.