There’s a record number of couples filing for divorce in Australia following a tumultuous year of lockdowns.

Divorce rates were as low as two per cent in 2017 but Federal Circuit Court statistics reveal numbers have spiked by eight per cent in one year.

A record 49,635 couples filed for divorce during 2020/21 after a year of separation.

“I think it’s been as a direct result of the pandemic,” lawyer Katrina Oner told Sofie Formica.

“People being stuck together at home … has had an enormous toll on some relationships, which is quite sad.”

Ms Oner said realistically, the number of couples who’ve split is even higher.

“What those statistics don’t cover is we’re talking about divorces, but there’s de facto relationships as well.

“Because those relationships aren’t registered, we don’t really know how many of them are separating.”

Press PLAY below to hear how many relationships Katrina Oner estimates could be at risk 

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