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Social Media And Temptation ‘Just A Click Away’ Are Behind Malta’s Increasing Separations: Insights From A Divorce Lawyer

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Despite its traditional Catholic backdrop, Malta has been grappling with a surge in divorces since becoming one of the last countries in the world to legalise it 12 years ago.

Earlier this week, documents tabled in Parliament by Justice Minister Jonathan Attard revealed that since divorce was legalised in Malta, the islands have seen a total of 4,472 couples divorcing… tallying up to an average of one a day.

Lovin Malta reached out to prominent divorce lawyer Robert Thake who provided key insights into the complex factors driving marital breakdowns.

Thake’s extensive experience navigating divorce cases unveils the top three reasons contributing to the escalating divorce rates in Malta.

1. Impact of Social Media and Instant Gratification Culture

Thake singled out social media as a main driver of separation and divorce.

He explained how the current culture of “instant gratification,” that is the immediate desire to feel satisfaction, created by the phenomenon that is social media, has a detrimental effect on modern-day relationships.

According to the lawyer, the temptation brought about by readily available opportunities, “just a click away” contributes to the increase in separations.

He believes that the allure of instant satisfaction, combined with the normalisation of separation, has made it a more acceptable option, further fuelling divorce rates.

2. Sudden Change or Lack Thereof

Another recurrent theme Thake has identified among divorcing couples is either a sudden, often challenging change in one spouse’s life, or a perceived lack of change altogether.

He believes that this dichotomy, seemingly irreconcilable, is, in fact, two sides of the same coin.

“I have had countless cases where the main cause for the breakdown of the marriage was a positive change, such as a substantial increase in income by one spouse, or even the birth of a child,” Thake said.

According to the lawyer, such “positive changes” may strain marriages as individuals grapple with newfound opportunities.

Conversely, Thake explained that “stagnation” in a marriage, viewed as “an obstacle to happiness or opportunities,” can “lead to adultery” and eventual divorce.

3. Gradual Easing of Divorce Laws

Thake pinpointed the cultural shift towards a more accessible divorce process as a significant factor in the escalating divorce rates, with 4,472 couples parting ways in the past 12 years—an average of one divorce per day.

Divorce was introduced into our law in 2011, and was amended 10 years later in 2021.

The amendments eased the once-rigid laws, giving Malta a more liberal regime.

Pre-2021 amendments, a couple could only seek a divorce after living apart for four years, regardless of whether they were legally or simply physically separated.

With the recent changes to the law, the requirements are much less stringent- if the spouses opt for a joint application, they must have lived apart for a period of or periods that amount to at least six months out of the preceding year.

If on the other hand, an application is filed by one of the spouses against the other, the couple must have lived separately for a period or periods amount to at least one year out of the preceding year.

When asked about his surprise at the divorce rate, Thake replied, “I am not surprised in the slightest.”

Divorce was introduced into our law in 2011, and was amended 10 years later in 2021.

The amendments eased the once-rigid laws, giving Malta a more liberal regime.

Pre-2021 amendments, a couple could only seek a divorce after living apart for four years, irrespective they were legally separated or simply physically.

With the recent changes to the law, the requirements are much less stringent- if the spouses opt for a joint application, they must have lived apart for a period of or periods that amount to at least six months out of the preceding year.

If on the other hand, an application is filed by one of the spouses against the other, the couple must have lived separately for a period or periods amount to at least one year out of the preceding year.

Do you think the rate of separation and divorce will keep increasing in Malta? 

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