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According to a recent survey, more than a third of people that file for a divorce will include false information in their divorce petitions in order to ensure their applications are approved by the courts.

The research, conducted by a firm of solicitors, revealed that 14% of Petitioners falsely claimed that the Respondent had committed adultery and a further 13% falsified their date of separation.

Furthermore, 42% of those polled stated that their children were left upset as a result of them needing to blame their spouse for the breakdown of their marriage. Additionally, more than a quarter of those that were required to accept fault for the breakdown of their marriage stated that they were left resenting their former husband/wife as a result.

In total, 1,011 users responded to this survey, with 41% of them stating that they wanted a divorce not because of adultery or unreasonable behaviour, but because they had simply fallen out of love with their spouse.

Is no-fault divorce the answer?

Of those polled, a huge 80% stated that they would have pursued a no-fault divorce if this had been possible. Indeed, with such a large portion of people reporting that they and their spouses pursued a divorce because they simply no longer loved one another, allowing no-fault divorce would seem to be the logical solution… but that’s only half the story.

It is possible to get divorced without blaming either party, but the couple need to have been living separately for two years and both agree to the divorce. In many instances, couples simply want their divorce finalised as soon as possible and fabricate details about adultery or unreasonable behaviour in order to facilitate this. The answer to this problem, then, is not merely introducing no-fault divorce, but by also allowing couples to file after a much shorter period of separation and by streamlining the process governing contested divorce also.

Perhaps you’re now thinking that these are just little white lies and that they’re free of consequence for anyone concerned. This, though, is far from the case.

What are the possible consequences of lying in a divorce petition

Put simply, anyone that knowingly submits a Divorce Petition that contains false information is committing an act of perjury. This is a criminal offence which could, potentially, see the offender jailed for a maximum period of seven years.

Of course, the fact that so many people are taking such a risk is proof of the fact that divorce law needs to be updated post-haste. As it stands, it is simply no longer fit for purpose.

To find out if you’re eligible for a divorce, get in touch by clicking on the link today.