Local News

Till Money Do Us Part

MIAMI (CBS4) ― You would find it hard to believe that today's economy would have any benefits. But we found one.

It seems today's tough times are keeping people married. CBS4's Jorge Estevez found one couple married for 7 years. Stan and Ann Fidge seem to have no itch. "Great, no complaints," Ann said laughing.

The Fidges came from Port St Lucie. They are celebrating their 7 year anniversary in Coconut Grove and even though they are together and happy, some couples nowadays are just together and not so happy.

A surprise to the Fidges who we found eating lunch outdoors.

"People may not be happy but they are certainly thinking twice about getting divorced, said Elisa Terraferma who works for Walton Lantaff Schroeder & Carson LLP.

Terraferma found that Miami Dade Courts have recorded about 20 percent less new divorce filings so far this year. The theory is couples have no money and less assets.

"Real estate values are down therefore people don't have as much equity in there home as they thought they had and they are dividing less value," Terraferma explained.

So it seems couples would rather have more together-than less-apart.

"It's shame that it has to take a down economy to cause people to stay together," said Stan.

So when we asked Stan and Ann Fidge if they'd stay together just to save money when times got tough they said no. "That would never be in my mind to make that choice, exclaimed stan.

his wife agreed, and said, "No never no.. Never."

It looks like this couple will never scratch their 7 year itch.

(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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