Is Economy Affecting Divorce Rates?

The down economy is driving down divorce rates. It's happening all over the country. When times are tough, it seems, more couples are deciding to tough it out. It's not love that's keeping them together. It's about money.

Houston attorney Donn Fullenweider deals with marriages doomed for divorce. But now, he says, couples are finding their assets are doomed, as well.

"They usually have a 401k," says Fullenweider, "and I heard someone refer to one as a 201k today."

Divorce means dividing up assets. And in this economy, breaking up is harder to do.

"It's a shocking experience for everybody," Fullenweider shakes his head, "particularly when you're trying to divide your assets. Texas doesn't provide for future alimony of any real meaning."

Across the nation, divorces are down, according to the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.

"It's cheaper to keep her," as the saying goes.

Dividing households is a lot more expensive than having someone to help split the rent and utilities. And there are no discounts on divorce.

The decline in the housing market is also contributing to the decrease in divorces. With "upside down" mortgages, it may not be a question of splitting the assets, but dividing the liability, instead. Some couples are deciding to tough it out til the tough times pass.

"We have a couple of cases where people have put cases on hold, saying 'we don't want to do anything right now," says Fullenweider.

But for marriage counselors, business is booming.

"A lot of people have insurance, and that helps cover it," says clinical psychologist Chuck Gray, who counsels couples in crisis. "For those who take insurance, they're experiencing a dramatic increase."

Money is always a marital stressor, but now, Gray says, it's even worse than usual.

"We have people who are employed professionals whose entire profession is deeply suffering right now."

The shaky economy seems to be shaking up the dating scene, at least online.

Some online dating websites like eHarmony.com say, as the economy gets worse, their business keeps getting better.

It's a lot cheaper than buying over-priced drinks at a bar, and it's less time-consuming, as well.

But are those online daters looking to walk down the aisle? Not if history is any indication.

During the Great Depression, the marriage rate dropped by as much as 20 percent.