British Columbia’s courts could see a surge in divorce proceedings when the province’s COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Family lawyer Jennifer Rowbotham says that’s in part because of a backlog of cases put on hold due to the pandemic.
But she says in recent weeks she’s also seen a marked uptick in inquiries about separation and divorce — some of them urgent. “There are probably already issues in the relationship, often there’s some breach of trust of some sort,” she told Global News. “People are at home, and when there’s been difficulties or tension, because everyone’s home together, it can exacerbate that.” Rowbotham said the added financial pressures of the crisis have also played a role.