Financial hardship, too much time spent together and couples simply tiring of each other during the Covid-19 lockdown has caused a global rise in divorce applications – and SA is not exempt from this phenomenon, local family and divorce lawyers reportedly told the Saturday Star.

‘We have most certainly experienced a huge influx in divorce applications even during level four of the lockdown in May,’ a family lawyer at SKV Attorneys in Randburg, Johannesburg, is quoted as saying. He added that this huge surge in separations was even higher than they experience in January each year. This, he explained, follows a festive period when tensions commonly reach boiling point as couples spend an extended amount of time together during the holidays, along with New Year’s resolutions to make life changes.

‘If I had to estimate, our firm had an increase of 20-30% in divorce applications compared to January, usually our busiest time,’ he said.

These sentiments were shared by Jennifer Mynhardt, at Jennifer Mynhardt Attorneys, who agreed that the lockdown has also resulted in her firm receiving more inquiries for divorce than at the start of every year.

‘The lockdown has been really tough and there has definitely been an increase in divorce issues.’

Specialist divorce lawyer Billy Gundelfinger also said he had seen an ‘absolute’ spike in divorce applications during the Covid-19 lockdown.

‘Covid exposed the fault lines in marriage, where couples were forced to re-evaluate their relationships because they had time for introspection and reflection.’

He said he had seen inquiries from across the board, with even older married couples deciding to call it quits.

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