COVID-19 Vaccine Disagreements Leading to Increase in Divorce, Mediation

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the world of divorce mediation and litigation.

In the early stages of the pandemic, people were getting divorced because COVID-related lockdowns resulted in married couples being trapped in the home together for extended periods, which exacerbated existing strains in many relationships.

Lately, though, there are more divorces happening because of disagreements related to the COVID-19 vaccine.

A study from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers focused on several hundred family attorneys across the nation found the following:

• 63 percent claimed they saw an increase in divorce cases since the start of the pandemic
• 45 percent of them believed the pandemic was the main reason for the increase in divorces

While the study did not specifically focus on vaccine disagreements, attorneys surveyed mentioned it has been a significant issue, especially the issue of vaccinations for children. The issue is of such importance to all parties that it can create an impasse in the relationship. Each parent is so certain their parenting style is correct and their vaccination decision is correct that it can result in trouble in the relationship, especially considering it is an issue where there is not much middle ground to be had.

Attorneys still say the best place to resolve these types of conflicts is through mediation and other types of negotiation. It might not save a marriage, but it can at least create effective communication between couples and co-parents and establish good lines of communication moving forward.

For more information about the benefits of divorce mediation, especially when dealing with hot-button issues, contact an experienced Long Island divorce attorney at Solutions Divorce Mediation.