According to recent market data, women are more interested in the costs of divorce than men. In the first half of last year, women made up close to 60% of those interested in this topic. Meanwhile, in the same period of this year, their share in the overall survey was only slightly lower. Experts commenting on these data believe that women are generally more financially aware, as they often take on the primary care of children and earn less than their partners. For this reason, they must plan their financial future more carefully. Experts also point out that, in general, money plays a crucial role in making divorce decisions. Potential costs, especially when combined with the division of assets, can be very high for the average person. The fear of not having enough money for a lawyer, a loan or child support is a natural obstacle.
Women more concerned about costs
Experts from the Divorce Office Nowy-Etap.pl surveyed the opinions of over 24,000 people planning to divorce. The analysis showed that in the first half of 2023, over 11,500 respondents checked the costs of divorce. 59.9% of them were women. Meanwhile, in the same period in 2024, just over 12,400 people were interested in this topic, 58.6% of whom were women. Kamil Jura, a lawyer and divorce mediator and co-author of the analysis above, is not surprised by these results. The expert notes that women often initiate divorces, which explains their greater interest in the costs of the process.
“I notice that women are more financially aware, as they often take on the main care of the children and earn less than their partners. This is why they must plan their future more carefully. Besides, women usually come to mediation better prepared, presenting detailed analyses and financial calculations. Men, on the other hand, often rely on specialist advice rather than searching for comprehensive information on their own,” adds Kamil Jura.
What determines the cost of a divorce?
Dr. hab. Magdalena Rzewuska, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Private International Law at the University of Warmia and Mazury, reminds us that divorce costs are primarily dependent on whether the spouses file for divorce with a finding of fault and whether the family court decides on the division of joint property during the divorce proceedings. The standard fee for a divorce petition is currently PLN 600. After the court decision becomes final, the court automatically refunds half of the divorce petition fee if the divorce is granted on a joint request from both parties without finding of fault.
“If the family court decides on the division of joint property during the divorce proceedings, we need to prepare for additional court fees. If the former spouses fail to reach an agreement on this matter, it is often necessary to seek the opinion of a court expert, which generates additional, often substantial expenses. If the spouses decide to use professional representatives, the costs of the proceedings will also include the remuneration of legal representatives,” enumerates Dr. hab. Rzewuska.
Property division and credit
In recent years, the prices of legal services have increased, which has translated into higher divorce costs. Another reason deterring some couples from filing for divorce may be the need to settle joint property. Its division can be time-consuming and expensive, especially if it includes real estate, businesses or other valuable assets, notes Dr. Magdalena Nowak-Paralusz from University WSB Merito.
“Housing loans are not a decisive factor influencing the decision to divorce. However, they are obviously one of many aspects that can influence it,” says Dr. Nowak-Paralusz.
Meanwhile, Dr. Mariusz Sokołek, an assistant professor in the Department of Finance and Accounting at the Catholic University of Lublin, reminds us that divorcing spouses have to decide whether one of them takes over the loan and becomes the sole party to the contract, or whether they sell the flat, pay off the debt, and divide the surplus between themselves. The transfer of the loan to one party is not always possible, because after assessing her creditworthiness, the bank may decide that she will not be able to repay the debt and refuse to amend the agreement.
Changing roles
“We have been observing a trend towards equalizing the professional and earning opportunities of spouses for several years now, which is reflected in, among other things, men actively caring for children so that women can work. Therefore, I believe that financial issues are not crucial in making divorce decisions and if I were to predict how this will change in the future, I believe this trend will be maintained. The income and asset disparities between spouses will become even smaller, and the scales may even tip in favor of women,” says Dr. Mariusz Sokołek from KUL.
Beyond that, Dr. Magdalena Nowak-Paralusz lists that according to the Central Statistical Office, the most common causes of divorce in 2022 included incompatibility of character (52.3%), infidelity (17.5%), as well as alcohol abuse (12.9%). Less frequently, financial misunderstandings (7.3%), housing difficulties (4.7%), objectionable treatment of family members (1.3%), and prolonged absence of one of the spouses (1.2%) were indicated.
“Today, women are more independent than they were 50 or 100 years ago, which essentially makes it easier for them to make the decision to divorce. Thanks to a higher level of education and greater professional opportunities, women can afford to live after divorce without fear of lacking money for living. Moreover, divorce is no longer associated with such a strong social stigmatization as it was in the past,” explains the expert from WSB University Merito.
Money complicates matters
As Kamil Jura points out, as a mediator, he has often experienced that money plays an essential role in making decisions about divorce. Potential divorce costs, especially when combined with the division of assets, can be very high for the average person.
An expert on this topic also points out that living costs rise just like legal services, inevitably compounding the cost of divorce. In this regard, Kamil Jura advocates for mediation in divorces, which not only shortens the entire divorce process but also reduces expenses related it. “Traditional court cases in divorces often drag on for years. However, in the case of mediation, the mediator meets with the spouses together or individually, determines the conditions of separation, writes it down in the form of a mediation agreement, and all of this can be done remotely. Then, this documentation is forwarded to the court, and in most cases, the people receive a divorce after one court hearing. This saves time, stress, and most importantly – money,” summarizes Kamil Jura.
Source: https://managerplus.pl/59-kobiet-planujacych-rozstanie-sprawdza-koszty-rozwodu-25642
