The true cost of divorce in Israel: the harsh numbers are revealed
Harsh data reveals the immense cost of maintaining two households in the first year after a divorce, accompanied by painful testimonies of parents who have to work night shifts to cover their children's basic needs.
How much does it cost to get divorced in Israel, and how do you manage the financial burden of two households after a separation? According to a report by journalist Maayan Parti on Channel 12 News, many individuals are forced to deal with high costs following the breakup of a family unit, while simultaneously needing to fund their children's needs and ongoing expenses.
In an interview with Maayan Parti, a divorced mother described the complex period she endured while trying to provide for her children:
"My daughter came to me and said: 'Mom, there is a trip tomorrow, I need 100 shekels.' It was 11:00 PM. I went to the shops around my house and asked them: 'Maybe you need the place washed for payment?' For three hours I washed an ice cream shop, tidying up and cleaning for my daughter."
The mother also shared that she had to explain their difficult economic situation to her children, emphasizing the importance of wiser financial conduct:
"I stopped in the middle of the supermarket, sat on the floor next to them at eye level and told them: 'Listen, sweeties, mom needs to know what she needs to bring because right now there is a change in the house and we are going to eat things we really need.' They told me: 'Mom, you don't need these cereals, it's unnecessary. Let's take milk and bread.' We are talking about children aged 6 and 7."
According to Maayan Parti, after an in-depth analysis of the data, the economic picture is particularly complex:
"We reached an unequivocal and difficult result. Breaking up a home costs between a quarter of a million and half a million shekels for each spouse in just one year."
A divorced father who was also interviewed shared the economic difficulties he faced after separating from his wife. Alongside setting up a new household, he was often forced to forgo personal purchases to finance expenses for his son, who is dealing with the trauma of the family breakup:
"I left the house and started setting up my own home. For me, spending 100,000 shekels is like spending half a million. You start from zero: plates, glasses, cutlery. No entertainment, I won't buy myself expensive clothes, I won't buy myself clothes sometimes. During the period I got divorced I didn't buy anything because if I have 100 shekels, first of all it's for the child."
