‘Gambling’ and ‘social media’ increasingly cited in UK divorce petitions

The research found that up to 40 per cent of divorce petitions received in 2016 made some mention of gambling or social media – comparable with 20 per cent of petitions in 2009, and 33 per cent in 2011.

The study, which quizzed 6,500 divorcees on their experiences, found that gambling addictions accounted for up to one in every five uncontested divorces last year.

According to the National Gambling Helpline, gambling problems and addictions have been on the rise in Britain in recent years, under the advent of online betting and gambling apps for mobile phones and tablets.

Separate research conducted by Saga Personal Financial recently revealed that an increasing number of divorcees over the age of 50 felt that they were ‘struggling financially’ after their divorce – and often felt forced to sell their family home.

According to Saga, 13 per cent typically end up downsizing and eight per cent are forced to move into rented accommodation after a divorce.

Both studies highlight the importance of seeking specialist advice to retain assets, distribute wealth fairly, and ensure financial stability under difficult divorce circumstances.

To find out more about the family services we provide, please contact Patrick Hart from our family law team today.