Lynch & Owens Podcast - A Massachusetts Divorce & Family Law Podcast

This AI-generated podcast reviews a blog by attorney James M. Lynch of Lynch & Owens entitled, Boom or Bust: Does the Economy Impact Your Divorce Decision?

Creators and Guests

Writer
James M. Lynch
Managing partner, senior attorney and blog writer at Lynch & Owens, P.C.

What is Lynch & Owens Podcast - A Massachusetts Divorce & Family Law Podcast?

We are a podcast focused on Massachusetts divorce and family law issues, brought to you by the attorneys of Lynch & Owens, PC.

Our podcasts are generated by Google NotebookLM, an artificial intelligence platform, based on blogs created by the attorneys of Lynch & Owens, P.C. of Hingham, Massachusetts. Note that the opinions offered in the show are generated by artificial intelligence and may differ from the source material. Neither our blogs nor our podcasts are legal advice.

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Host 1:

Okay. So we've got, another deep dive today.

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

And, we're gonna be looking at a blog post.

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

Sent in by one of our listeners. Yeah. And, this particular post is titled boom or bust. Does the economy dictate divorce rates?

Host 2:

Oh, interesting.

Host 1:

And it's by attorney James m Lynch

Host 2:

Okay.

Host 1:

Of Lynch and Owens

Host 2:

Got it.

Host 1:

In Hingham, Massachusetts.

Host 2:

Interesting.

Host 1:

So, you know, I think this is something that Yeah. A lot of people wonder about.

Host 2:

For sure.

Host 1:

Does a good economy

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

Lead to more divorces? Does a bad economy lead to more divorces?

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

What what's the connection?

Host 2:

Yeah. Exactly. And attorney Lynch in his blog really gets to the heart of it. Yeah. You know, a lot of people ask that question.

Host 2:

Yeah. You know, is it when the economy is booming Right. That people are more likely to split? Because they feel like, okay, can go out on my own. Yeah.

Host 2:

I can support myself. Or is it when things are really tough, and there's more pressure on relationships, that we see more divorces. So that's really the core of what he's exploring in this post.

Host 1:

Yeah. And we are gonna explore that in our deep dive today. Mhmm. We're really gonna unpack attorney Lynch's analysis. Yeah.

Host 1:

We're gonna look at, you know, all the different arguments that he makes, all the examples that he uses Uh-huh. To really try to understand this connection. Yep. And, of course, we wanna remind everyone Yeah. This is all based on attorney Lynch's blog.

Host 1:

Right. It is for informational purposes only. Mhmm. This is not legal advice. Correct.

Host 1:

If you have a legal issue, you absolutely need to consult with a qualified attorney.

Host 2:

Absolutely.

Host 1:

Okay. So let's dive into attorney Lynch's blog.

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

He starts off by kinda tackling this idea that, you know, when the economy is bad Mhmm. That must lead to more divorces Yeah. Because there's more stress on people. Yeah. So what is his take on that?

Host 2:

Well, lays out several key ways

Host 1:

Yep.

Host 2:

That a bad economy really can put pressure on a marriage.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

And and the first thing he talks about is unemployment.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

So, obviously, that has a huge financial impact.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

But he also points out that, you know, it's not just about the money. Uh-huh. Losing a job can really affect someone's self esteem. Oh, yeah. Their sense of purpose.

Host 2:

Yeah. It can shift roles in the household. Right. Create a lot of anxiety.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

And all of that can really destabilize a relationship.

Host 1:

Yeah. It's like it's like, you know, the Yeah. The muddy part of it is is almost like the tip of the ice berg.

Host 2:

It's just the beginning. Right?

Host 1:

Yeah. It's really the emotional fallout.

Host 2:

Effects.

Host 1:

Yeah. Exactly.

Host 2:

And then he also talks about, you know, the stock market. Right. So even if you haven't lost your job Yeah. If you're watching your, you know Yeah. Four zero one k or your investments go up and down and up and down

Host 1:

Totally.

Host 2:

That can cause a lot of stress in a relationship too.

Host 1:

Absolutely. Yeah. Just that feeling of uncertainty about your financial future. Right. Yeah.

Host 1:

That can really breed tension at home.

Host 2:

Yeah. And then, of course, you know, we think back to the great recession.

Host 1:

Yeah. And the housing market.

Host 2:

Oh, yeah.

Host 1:

And, you know, people being underwater in their homes.

Host 2:

Totally.

Host 1:

Or, you know, facing foreclosure or even just not being able to sell. Mhmm. I mean, that can create a lot of, you know, financial and emotional pressure.

Host 2:

Right. And it can feel very trapping. Right? Yeah. You're kinda stuck.

Host 2:

Yeah. Can't move forward. You're in this kind of financial and emotional limbo.

Host 1:

Yeah. And and I think that feeling of being trapped is really interesting because it's not just, you know, trapped financially.

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

It's like you're trapped in the relationship too.

Host 2:

Exactly. Yeah. It's like, you know, even if you wanted to get out of the situation Yeah. You can't. Yeah.

Host 2:

Because you're so tied to this house, to this mortgage Yeah. To this financial situation.

Host 1:

Yeah. And then attorney Lynch also talks about just Mhmm. You know, more of the everyday financial pressures.

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

You know, just like struggling to pay your bills or Yeah. You know, having to really scale back your lifestyle. He says that that can also lead to a lot of blame and resentment in a marriage.

Host 2:

Exactly. And he uses this phrase, pressure cooker environment.

Host 1:

Yeah. I like that.

Host 2:

Yeah. It's really vivid. Right? It's like all these economic stressors are building up. Right.

Host 2:

And eventually something's gotta give.

Host 1:

Yeah. Yeah. It's a great way to put it. Yeah. So that's kind of one side of the coin.

Host 2:

Mhmm.

Host 1:

Right? Like bad economy, more stress

Host 2:

Mhmm.

Host 1:

Potentially more divorces.

Host 2:

Potentially. Yeah.

Host 1:

But then attorney Lynch kind of flips it on its head.

Host 2:

He does.

Host 1:

And he says, well, what about a good economy?

Host 2:

Right. What about when things are going well?

Host 1:

Could that actually lead to more divorces?

Host 2:

Exactly. And he calls this the independence hypothesis.

Host 1:

I like that. Yeah. So what are some of the arguments that he makes for that?

Host 2:

Well, says when the economy is strong, there are a few things that could actually make divorce more likely.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

One is just financial independence. Yeah. So when jobs are plentiful Right. When wages are good, individuals might feel a lot more confident in their ability to support themselves Right. If they were to separate.

Host 1:

Yeah. So like if you're in a bad marriage Mhmm. But you're worried about, you know, making ends meet

Host 2:

Yeah. Right.

Host 1:

You might stay in that marriage

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

Just because you can't afford to leave.

Host 2:

Exactly. It's like the financial risk is too great

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

But when the economy is good and you feel like, okay, I could get a job. I could support myself.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

Then maybe you're more likely to say, you know what? Right. I'm out of here.

Host 1:

It's like the it's like the risk calculation changes.

Host 2:

It totally does. Yeah. Yeah. And he also points out that a good economy makes it easier to divide assets.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

Particularly things like the house.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

So if housing prices are high

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

It's easier to sell the marital home.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

And both parties are more likely to walk away with, you know, a a decent amount of money to start over.

Host 1:

Yeah. So it's almost like a strong housing market can kinda grease the wheels a little bit.

Host 2:

In a way, yeah, it kinda facilitates the process.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

And then he also mentions a lower sense of risk overall.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

So when the economy is good Right. You're less worried about potentially becoming unemployed

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

After a divorce. Right. You know, you feel more secure in your ability to find a new job.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

Yeah. But it was like that fear of the unknown

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

Is a little bit less intense.

Host 1:

Yeah. And then of course, you know, divorce is expensive.

Host 2:

It is.

Host 1:

I mean, you have legal fees. Yeah. You've gotta set up two separate households. Right. And attorney Lynch points out that when the economy is good Mhmm.

Host 1:

Those costs might seem less overwhelming.

Host 2:

Right. It's like, okay.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

We can handle this.

Host 1:

Yeah. We've got, you know, enough of a cushion.

Host 2:

We've got some savings.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

We're not as worried about it.

Host 1:

Yeah. So so his argument here is that, you know, a good economy

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

Isn't necessarily causing more divorces. Right. But it might be enabling them.

Host 2:

It's like giving people the option. Yeah. If they're already unhappy, it's like, okay. Well, now we can actually afford to do this.

Host 1:

Right. Yeah.

Host 2:

So let's go ahead and split.

Host 1:

Yeah. So it's like it's almost like, you know, the economy is kinda playing a permissive role.

Host 2:

That's a good way to put it. Yeah. It's not the root cause.

Host 1:

Alright.

Host 2:

But it's kinda like, okay, well, you're already thinking about

Host 1:

it Right.

Host 2:

This may be the push you need.

Host 1:

Yeah. Interesting.

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

Okay. So now we have these two kind of opposing ideas. Mhmm. Right? Like bad bad economy, more stress, maybe more divorces.

Host 1:

Yeah. Good economy, more freedom, maybe more divorces.

Host 2:

Mhmm.

Host 1:

So what does the data actually say?

Host 2:

That's the big question. Right?

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

And attorney Lynch digs into this.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

And he really focuses on this concept of the affordability constraint.

Host 1:

Yeah. I love that phrase. Yeah. Okay. So tell me more about that.

Host 2:

So he points out that, and this might be surprising to some people.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

That divorce rates often actually go down. Really? Yeah. Or they at least stay the same Wow. During economic downturns, which seems counterintuitive.

Host 1:

Oh, it does. Yeah.

Host 2:

We think more stress, more divorce.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

But that's not always what we see.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

And this is where the affordability constraint comes in. So he talks about a Pew Research review that looked at the aftermath of the great recession. Got it. And they found that even though there was a lot of stress on families

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

The cost of getting divorced was often just too high

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

For people to actually go through with it.

Host 1:

Wow. So it's almost like the the economics of it Right. Outweigh the emotional part.

Host 2:

In some cases, yeah. And there are a few reasons for this.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

First of all, you know, maintaining two separate households is expensive.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

Especially if you've lost income.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

One spouse might lose health insurance benefits.

Host 1:

Yeah. That's a big one.

Host 2:

If they were covered through their partner's job.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

And then, of course, there are the legal fees, which can be substantial.

Host 1:

Yeah. So even if you're really unhappy Yeah. You might just decide to stay together.

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

Because you can't afford to split.

Host 2:

Exactly. It's like you're forced to make a decision based on finances Yeah. Not necessarily on your emotional state.

Host 1:

Yeah. And attorney Lynch also mentions Yeah. That economic hardship can actually make it harder for couples Mhmm. To work towards shared goals.

Host 2:

Right. Yeah.

Host 1:

So, you know, maybe they were planning to buy a house or, you know, start a business together.

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

But now they can't Mhmm. Because they're just struggling to get by.

Host 2:

Yeah. And that can create a lot of resentment too.

Host 1:

Yeah. Absolutely.

Host 2:

Yeah. It's like, you know, this dream that we had Yeah. Is now on hold Yeah. Indefinitely. Yeah.

Host 2:

And it's not clear when or if we'll ever be able to achieve it.

Host 1:

Yeah. So it's really interesting that, you know, even though a bad economy can cause a lot of stress on a marriage Mhmm. It might actually make divorce less likely in the short term.

Host 2:

Yeah. It's kind of paradoxical. Right?

Host 1:

It is.

Host 2:

It's like you're stuck in this unhappy situation

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

But you can't afford to get out.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

So you just kinda have to ride it out.

Host 1:

Okay. So to kinda illustrate this point. Yeah. Attorney Lynch looks at the great recession as an example.

Host 2:

He does.

Host 1:

So what did he observe during that time period?

Host 2:

Well, he points out that divorce rates actually dipped in The US and other countries during the recession.

Host 1:

So this was like 02/2009.

Host 2:

Yeah. Around that time.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

And researchers attributed this to the affordability constraint.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

You know, people just couldn't afford to get divorced.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

They were losing their jobs. Mhmm. Their houses were losing value. Yeah. Their savings were depleted.

Host 2:

Yeah. It just wasn't a good time to be making big financial decisions.

Host 1:

So it's almost like, you know, even though relationships were probably under a lot of stress.

Host 2:

Yeah. Probably more so than usual.

Host 1:

The actual number of divorces went down.

Host 2:

Exactly. Because people were kind of forced to stay together. Yeah. Out of necessity.

Host 1:

Interesting. And what about after the recession? Yeah. Did divorce rates go back up?

Host 2:

So attorney Lynch mentions that there's some evidence that suggests there might have been a delayed increase in divorces

Host 1:

Oh, yeah.

Host 2:

Once the economy started to recover.

Host 1:

So it's like people were waiting.

Host 2:

Right. Exactly.

Host 1:

Yeah. Until things got better.

Host 2:

Yeah. Like they put their plans on hold.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

And then once they felt financially secure again, they were like, okay, now we can do this.

Host 1:

Yeah. So it's almost like, you know, putting your life on hold until you could afford to deal with

Host 2:

it. Exactly.

Host 1:

Wow. Okay. Yeah. Attorney Lynch also looks at the COVID nineteen pandemic.

Host 2:

He does.

Host 1:

It's kind of another unique case study.

Host 2:

Right. Because that was such a strange time.

Host 1:

Yeah. Yeah. So how did that affect divorce rates?

Host 2:

Well, it's interesting because, you know, we had all these unique stressors. Mhmm. You know, the health fears, the lockdowns Mhmm. Disruptions to childcare, economic shocks.

Host 1:

Yeah. I mean, was just like yeah. A pressure cooker. Yeah. And so a lot of people thought that there would be this huge surge in divorces.

Host 1:

But that's not what happened.

Host 2:

It's not what the data showed. No. No. In fact, lot of places actually saw a decrease in divorce filings. Really?

Host 2:

Yeah. Particularly in 2020.

Host 1:

Wow.

Host 2:

Some areas reported dips as large as 43%.

Host 1:

That's crazy.

Host 2:

Yeah. It's pretty significant.

Host 1:

Okay. So what does attorney Lynch think was going on there?

Host 2:

Well, he points to a few factors.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

First of all, there were court closures

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

And delays in the legal system.

Host 1:

Yeah. Everything was shut down.

Host 2:

Yeah. Everything was on hold.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

There was also just a lot of uncertainty about the future. Yeah. Both in terms of health and finances.

Host 1:

Yeah. Who knew what was gonna happen?

Host 2:

Exactly. Yeah. And he also raises this idea of a rallying together effect.

Host 1:

Oh, interesting.

Host 2:

Yeah. You know, maybe some couples actually felt closer. Yeah. Because they were going through this shared crisis together.

Host 1:

Yeah. And maybe some couples felt a lot farther apart.

Host 2:

That's true too.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

So it probably had a different impact on different relationships.

Host 1:

Yeah. But overall, it seems like the number of divorces actually went down.

Host 2:

Yeah. That's what the data suggests.

Host 1:

Interesting. Yeah. And I wonder, you know, thinking back to the affordability constraint. Mhmm. If that played a role here too.

Host 2:

Yeah. Absolutely.

Host 1:

You know, because during the pandemic

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

A lot of people were facing financial uncertainty.

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

And it was hard to, you know, make big changes like moving out and setting up a new household.

Host 2:

Yeah. It was just very volatile time.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

Attorney Lynch points out that predictions of a big post pandemic divorce surge

Host 1:

Mhmm.

Host 2:

Haven't really panned out.

Host 1:

Oh, interesting.

Host 2:

Yeah. So it seems like for a lot of people, it was more about a delay

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

Than a change of heart.

Host 1:

Got it. Yeah. Okay. So we've looked at the great recession. Mhmm.

Host 1:

We've looked at the pandemic. Both of those seem to support attorney Lynch's idea Mhmm. That a struggling economy can actually lead to fewer divorces.

Host 2:

Yeah. At least in the short term.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

So now let's fast forward to today.

Host 2:

Okay.

Host 1:

April 2025. Yeah. Attorney Lynch writes in his blog that, you know, we've seen a recent stock market drop. Yeah. And there are other signs of, you know, economic turbulence.

Host 1:

So based on his analysis, what does he think this might mean for divorce rates going forward?

Host 2:

Well, thinks that if this economic downturn continues, we might actually see divorce rates decrease.

Host 1:

Really?

Host 2:

Yeah. Or at least level off in the near future.

Host 1:

Interesting.

Host 2:

Yeah. And again, he thinks this would be due to the affordability constraint. Uh-huh. People are gonna be more hesitant to make big changes when they're feeling financially insecure.

Host 1:

Yeah. It's like batten down the hatches. Exactly. Yeah. Just gotta wait it out.

Host 2:

Ride out the storm. Yeah. Yeah.

Host 1:

You know, just because fewer people might be getting divorced.

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

Doesn't mean that marriages are suddenly gonna be a lot happier.

Host 2:

No, not necessarily.

Host 1:

Right. No. So what does attorney Lynch say about that?

Host 2:

Well, he points out that even if fewer couples are filing for divorce

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

The financial pressure is probably gonna lead to more strain and dissatisfaction within those marriages.

Host 1:

So it's almost like the pressure is building.

Host 2:

It's like a simmering discontent.

Host 1:

Yeah. Exactly. Like, under the surface. And then, you know, maybe down the road when the economy recovers

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

We might see that pressure released.

Host 2:

Yeah. And potentially an an increase in divorces.

Host 1:

Yeah. Yeah. It's almost like there's this dam Mhmm. And the water's building up behind it.

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

And then eventually, you know, the dam breaks.

Host 2:

And everything comes rushing out.

Host 1:

Yeah. Yeah. Wow. Okay. So attorney Lynch is really painting this complex picture.

Host 2:

He is.

Host 1:

Right. Yeah. It's not as simple as, you know, good economy equals more divorces or bad economy equals more divorces.

Host 2:

It's not a one to one correlation.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

It's much more nuanced than that.

Host 1:

Yeah. And it seems like the economy is just one factor.

Host 2:

It's one piece of the puzzle. Right.

Host 1:

Yeah. Among many. Exactly. That affect whether couples stay together or not. Okay.

Host 1:

So for anyone listening who might be thinking about divorce, especially in this uncertain economic climate, what advice does attorney Lynch give?

Host 2:

Well, he has a few key pieces of advice.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

First of all, he says it's really important to take stock of your financial situation. So look at your earnings.

Host 1:

Mhmm.

Host 2:

Look at your spouse's earnings.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

How secure are your jobs? Yeah. You know? Could either of you potentially lose your job Right. In this economic climate?

Host 1:

Yeah. Because that would obviously have a huge impact.

Host 2:

Absolutely. Yeah. He also talks about potential support obligations.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

So, you know, would you be paying or receiving alimony?

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

Would you be paying or receiving child support? Yeah. Those are really important factors to consider.

Host 1:

Yeah. And he stresses that, you know, it's really important to talk to a lawyer about these Absolutely.

Host 2:

Yeah. Get some legal advice.

Host 1:

Yeah. Because, you know, the law can be complicated.

Host 2:

It can be very complicated.

Host 1:

It varies from state to state.

Host 2:

Exactly.

Host 1:

So you really wanna make sure that you understand your rights and obligations.

Host 2:

Yeah. Before you make any big decisions.

Host 1:

Yeah. Okay. What about housing?

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

Because we've talked about Yeah. How that can be such a big factor in divorce.

Host 2:

It can be a huge factor.

Host 1:

Yeah. So what does attorney Lynch say about that?

Host 2:

Well, he says you really need to analyze the housing market.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

So can one of you afford to stay in the house?

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

You know, maybe you have a low mortgage rate

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

That you wouldn't wanna give up. Mhmm. Could you refinance mortgage? Yeah. Could you assume the mortgage?

Host 1:

Right. Is that even an option right now?

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

With interest rates the way they are?

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

If you were to sell the house Mhmm. Could you even sell it?

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

And would you make any money?

Host 2:

Yeah. Or would you actually lose money? Right. And then, you know, what about renting? What are the costs of renting right now?

Host 2:

Are there even any rentals available?

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

You know? So there are a lot of things to think about.

Host 1:

Yeah. You gotta think about where you're gonna live.

Host 2:

You gotta have a plan.

Host 1:

Yeah. Okay. And then finally, attorney Lynch says

Host 2:

Mhmm.

Host 1:

You need to take stock of your savings and investments. Yeah. So what does that mean?

Host 2:

Well, it means you need to know how much liquid cash you have.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

How much money do you have in the bank that you could access easily?

Host 1:

To pay for the divorce?

Host 2:

Exactly. To pay for legal fees, to pay for moving expenses.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

And you also need to look at your investments.

Host 1:

Okay.

Host 2:

You know, what are those worth? And he cautions that, you know Yeah. The stock market can be volatile.

Host 1:

Yeah. It can go up and down?

Host 2:

It can go up and down very quickly. Yeah. And so the value of your investments could change

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

While you're going through the divorce process.

Host 1:

Wow. So it's not just about what they're worth today.

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

It's about what they might be worth tomorrow.

Host 2:

Right. Yeah. Wow. Okay. So attorney Lynch is giving people a lot to think about here.

Host 1:

He is.

Host 2:

But ultimately, think his main point

Host 1:

is That even though the economy can influence the timing of a divorce Mhmm. It doesn't actually change the underlying reasons Oh. For wanting to get divorced.

Host 2:

Yeah. It's not like the economy can fix a broken relationship.

Host 1:

Right. Yeah. So if you're unhappy in your marriage, that unhappiness is still gonna be there.

Host 2:

It's not gonna magically disappear just because the economy is good or bad.

Host 1:

Right. So it's really about, you know, looking at your own individual situation and deciding what's best for you.

Host 2:

Yeah. And making those tough decisions Yeah. Based on all the factors involved.

Host 1:

Okay. So I think the big takeaway here Mhmm. From attorney Lynch's blog

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

Is that the relationship between the economy and divorce Right. Is really complex.

Host 2:

It's complicated.

Host 1:

It is. Yeah. Yeah. It's not a simple cause and effect. Right.

Host 1:

And I think the affordability constraint Mhmm. Is a really key concept here.

Host 2:

It

Host 1:

is. Because it shows that sometimes a bad economy can actually lead to fewer divorces.

Host 2:

Exactly. Because people just can't afford

Host 1:

it. Right. Yeah. So it's kinda counterintuitive.

Host 2:

It is. But it's something to keep in mind.

Host 1:

Yeah. Absolutely. Yeah. And, of course, you know, we wanna remind everyone Yes. That this entire discussion

Host 2:

Mhmm.

Host 1:

Has been based on the blog post Yeah. By attorney James M. Lynch

Host 2:

Yes.

Host 1:

Of Lynch and Owens in Hingham, Massachusetts. Uh-huh. And this is for informational purposes only. Absolutely. This is not legal advice.

Host 1:

Correct. If you have a legal issue Mhmm. You need to talk to a qualified attorney.

Host 2:

For sure.

Host 1:

Okay. So

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

As we wrap up here, I think attorney Lynch's blog really leaves us with a lot to ponder.

Host 2:

It does.

Host 1:

You know, it it makes us think about

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

What really makes a relationship strong.

Host 2:

Right.

Host 1:

You know, beyond just the financial factors.

Host 2:

Yeah. Because obviously, matters. Yeah. But it's not the only thing.

Host 1:

Right. Yeah. And, you know, sometimes when you go through tough times together Mhmm. Whether it's a bad economy or a pandemic or some other kind of crisis.

Host 2:

Or even just personal challenges.

Host 1:

Yeah. Yeah. It can really test a relationship.

Host 2:

It can. Yeah. It can reveal its strengths and weaknesses.

Host 1:

Yeah. And I think it's important to remember Mhmm. That, you know, even if you're struggling financially Yeah. You still have choices. You do.

Host 1:

You know, you can choose to work on your relationship. Yeah. You can choose to seek counseling.

Host 2:

You can

Host 1:

choose to support each other. Yeah. And sometimes, you know, those choices are even more important

Host 2:

Absolutely.

Host 1:

Than the financial ones.

Host 2:

Yeah. Because ultimately, you can't put a price tag on a healthy relationship.

Host 1:

Right.

Host 2:

Yeah. That's a great point.

Host 1:

Yeah. So, you know, I think attorney Lynch's blog really challenges us to think about what truly matters.

Host 2:

What are our priorities?

Host 1:

Yeah. In our relationships.

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

And how we can build those relationships to be strong. Yeah. And resilient.

Host 2:

Resilient. That's a good word for it.

Host 1:

Yeah.

Host 2:

Yeah.

Host 1:

No matter what the economy throws at us.

Host 2:

Yeah. Because life is full of ups and downs. It is. And we need to be prepared for anything.

Host 1:

Absolutely. Yeah. So I think that's a great place to leave it today.

Host 2:

I think so too.

Host 1:

Thank you for listening to this deep dive.

Host 2:

Thanks, everyone.

Host 1:

And we will see you next time.