People living in the North West are searching for information about divorce more than those in many other parts of England, according to new regional stats.
Research by Stowe Family Law found the North West recorded divorce-related search interest equivalent to 19% per 1,000 people during 2024. While that falls behind the East of England (30%), East Midlands (25%) and South West (24%), it places the North West above both Greater London (13%) and the North East (12%).
Lancashire named among divorce search hotspots
Within the region, Lancashire emerged as one of England’s biggest divorce hotspots, recording a search score of 30%, placing it alongside counties including Essex, Lincolnshire and Shropshire.
Divorce rates return to pre-pandemic levels
The figures come as the latest Office for National Statistics data shows there were 102,678 divorces granted across England and Wales during 2023, representing a return to pre-pandemic levels after changes to divorce legislation temporarily affected court processing times.
Nationally, the divorce rate stood at 8.6 per 1,000 married men and 8.5 per 1,000 married women in 2023. Although this represented an increase compared with 2022, the ONS says divorce rates remain significantly lower than their peak in the early 1990s, reflecting a broader long-term shift in relationship patterns.
The legal landscape has also changed considerably in recent years following the introduction of no-fault divorce legislation in April 2022.
No-fault divorce changes the process
According to the ONS, almost three-quarters (74.2%) of divorces granted during 2023 were processed under the new legislation, which removed the requirement for couples to assign blame for the breakdown of a marriage. Around 73% of those divorces were made as sole applications, while joint applications accounted for just over a quarter of cases.
The figures also show that divorce is generally occurring later in life than many people assume. The median duration of marriage before divorce reached 12.7 years in 2023, one of the longest median durations recorded.
Expert warns emotional impact remains
While legal reforms have simplified the divorce process, divorce coach Monika Braglewicz says the emotional challenges remain unchanged.
She said: “The legal process has become much less confrontational since no-fault divorce was introduced, which is a really positive step. However, that doesn’t necessarily make the experience any easier emotionally.
“Many people spend weeks researching the legal side of divorce but don’t always prepare themselves for the emotional side of ending a long-term relationship. Having support alongside legal advice can help people make clearer decisions and feel more confident about moving forward.”
Although searches for divorce vary significantly between different parts of England, the latest figures suggest demand for information and support remains high across the North West, with thousands of people continuing to seek guidance on separation, finances and life after divorce.
For Monika, the statistics reinforce one important message.
“Whether your divorce is simple or more complicated, it’s still one of the biggest life changes a person can go through. Getting the right support early can make a real difference to how people cope with the process and the decisions they make for their future.”
