Divorces Likely to Skyrocket in the Wake of Shelter-in-Place Policies Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic
The shelter in place and lockdown regulations in effect across the country as a result of the novel coronavirus which causes the COVID-19 disease will increase the strain on married couples kept in close quarters for extended periods of time. The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein advises of the risk factors involved and other important points to consider.
BETHESDA, Md., April 22, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As the world and the nation continues dealing with the devastating effects of the novel coronavirus pandemic, and the COVID-19 disease it causes, the most severe outcomes have included death, severe illness, job losses and business closures, and overall economic turmoil. The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein, experienced divorce lawyers in Maryland, advises of another consequence which has been perhaps overlooked — a huge upcoming surge in divorce cases as a result of the quarantine.
"The truth of the matter is that many couples are confined in tight spaces with each other for longer periods of time than would otherwise be typical," says Brandon Bernstein, a seven-time Maryland divorce attorney Super Lawyers Rising Star. "Not only that, but there are no social outlets in terms of seeing friends and family, going to restaurants or movie theaters, or any similar pursuits, while instead there's an abundance of additional stressors being levied on people."
Life at home hasn't been business as usual for many individuals, and there are a multitude of factors contributing to the potential increased rates of quarantine divorce cases. At the top of the list will be parents who are struggling to find ways to both educate and entertain their children who are home from school. Further, couples have to figure out how to work together from their shared home environment, or, in the cases of those who have lost their jobs, deal with the financial and mental burdens of those setbacks.
There's a serious risk as well for elevated rates of domestic violence and child abuse, already recognized as leading causes of divorce. Couples who are already in the midst of such a harmful cycle may be more likely to experience repeated traumas, while others may undergo abuse for the first time as patterns of behavior change. Without being able to leave the residence, safely stay with another family member, or even find a local hotel to move to, at-risk individuals are potentially stuck at home with their abusers.
On top of the aforementioned causes of so called coronavirus quarantine divorces, the rates will likely surge in the future due to the simple fact that courts have been closed in the majority of locales across the country. With no new cases able to be filed for, in some cases a month or longer, this has created a divorce case backlog. Such a backlog may then have the impact of delaying the speed in which a case can be processed and move through the court system in the months ahead.
The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein is located in Bethesda, Maryland, and handles all matters pertaining to divorce and family law. The office is currently meeting with prospective clients virtually for consultations. More information is available at BrandonBernsteinLaw.com or by calling 240.395.1418.
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About the Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein, LLC
The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein, LLC is located in downtown Bethesda, and serves clients throughout the state as a divorce attorney in Maryland, covering a broad range of family law matters, and aggressively protecting the best interests of his clients at all times. He has been named a Maryland Rising Star by Super Lawyers for seven consecutive years. The core pillars of his practice are Integrity, Experience, and Results. For a free attorney consultation, prospective clients can visit his website at BrandonBernsteinLaw.com, or call the office directly at 240.395.1418.
SOURCE The Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein, LLC
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