\u201cFor some couples, the equilibrium relied on the fact that that they didn\u2019t see each other very often or they were able to see their lovers,\u201d said Annamaria Bernardini di Pace, a divorce lawyer.<\/p>\n
Since lockdown began on March 9, she has taken on 12 new divorce proceedings.<\/p>\n
The loss of jobs and worries about money have exacerbated the tensions between many couples.<\/p>\n
The increase in couples splitting is no surprise to lawyers \u2013 most continued to work during the lockdown, communicating with clients via Whatsapp, Skype and other platforms.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is too early to give precise numbers but we have seen a doubling in requests for separations,\u201d said Valentina Ruggiero, a family lawyer.<\/p>\n
\u201cGiven the heavy emotional stress of the lockdown, my advice is for couples to evaluate whether it is a passing crisis or whether the relationship is really at the end of the line.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lawyers likened the boom in separations to the periods after Christmas and the summer holidays, when divorce proceedings traditionally spike.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew that it would end up like this because for weeks I\u2019ve been conducting consultations on the phone and social media,\u201d Gian Ettore Gassani, the president of the Italian Association of Divorce Lawyers, told Corriere della Sera newspaper.<\/p>\n
With courts closed during the lockdown, judges have allowed some divorce proceedings to be heard by videoconference.<\/p>\n
The option is available to couples who have largely agreed the terms of their divorce, including custody of children and the division of assets.<\/p>\n
As Italy emerges from its draconian lockdown regime, there have been other unforeseen consequences \u2013 including a sharp hike in prices.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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