New statistics provided by Preston solicitors Napthens has revealed that the East Lancashire couples most likely to divorce are those who have been married for up to 20 years.
The law firm, which has offices in Blackburn, Chorley, Preston and Blackpool, has looked through their statistics over the last six months and spotted the trend.
The most common circumstances for divorce in their research have been when the couples are aged between 40 and 50, have children and have been married for between 11 and 20 years.
More often than not, it is the wife who begins the proceedings and ‘unreasonable behaviour’ is cited as the most common reason for the divorce. Only 11% of divorce cases for the firm mention adultery.
Napthens solicitors’ Ann Hallmark said: “It is fascinating to see a clear pattern emerging from these figures.
“It may be that couples are marrying later than previously and that they focus for the first few years on starting and bringing up a family. By the time they reach their forties disillusionment may set in for a variety of reasons.
“On the other hand it could also be argued that Lancashire couples take their vows seriously and do not give up on marriage easily.”