The Veracity of Filing for Divorce During a Global Pandemic

Sarah Health, Home

Are you and your spouse battling to live in the same space at the moment. Have the differences of opinions or fights escalated both in intensity and in frequency? Or, do you have nothing to say to each other? And, would you rather be alone than cooped up in a small space with someone you no longer like?

The global pandemic: Setting the scene

Before we consider the legitimacy of filing for divorce for the foreseeable future, let’s first set the scene by considering current global conditions. For, as the Pasadena divorce attorney highlights, we are living in unprecedented times. And, it might not be the right time to consider divorcing your spouse under these circumstances.


The world is currently facing a scenario it has never faced before. Succinctly stated, the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, is sweeping the world, resulting in more than 3.78 million infections and just under 265 000 deaths. As an aside, this virus is extremely contagious, spreads rapidly via person-to-person transmission, and it causes a respiratory illness with mild to severe symptoms. Therefore, the quoted numbers are changing on an hourly to daily basis.

Furthermore, the challenge is that scientists, researchers, and medical professionals know very little about this virus; except, that one of the only ways to stop the virus’s spread is through social distancing or social isolation.

The emotional and mental health costs to COVID-19

There are psychological costs to the need for long periods of social isolation or social distancing. And, the longer people are required to stay away from each other, the higher the emotional and mental health costs. Joshua Morganstein, a psychiatrist and disaster mental health expert at the Uniformed Services University in Bethesda, Md, states that “for some people, a lack of social connectedness feels as impactful as not eating.”

On 18 March 2020, the World Health Organisation published a scholarly journal article titled, “Mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak.” This article describes the impact of COVID-19 on adults and children.

It is a guide to managing the mental health of the people affected by this pandemic. And, the document’s salient point is that, by accepting that there will be increased anxiety and stress levels for everyone concerned.

Once this fact is accepted, the next step is to manage the symptoms of the mental health consequence of COVID-19. Because, without the timeous intervention, treatment, and management of these related mental health conditions, people will fall apart physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Final thoughts: What does this mean in the context of the legitimacy of filing for divorce

The pertinent point of this discussion is to suggest that filing for divorce as a consequence of living in lockdown for long periods might not be justified. Of course, if there has been any form of abuse by your spouse, then you need to get out immediately. When choosing to take this route, you may need to consult an experienced divorce attorney phoenix (or one elsewhere) who can offer you an objective and realistic assessment of your situation. He/she also can help you understand the process as well as any potential legal and financial issues that may arise.

Alternatively, if you want to save the marriage despite all the adversities, it is worth seeking specialist advice from a psychologist or trauma counselor on how to mitigate the negative effects of lockdown with an emphasis on saving your marriage. This specialist can help both of you work through the underlying issues that have been exacerbated by the lockdown. They can also provide guidance on how to improve communication and strengthen the bond between you and your spouse. With the right help, it is possible to save the marriage.