BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - For better or for worse, it looks like more married couples are staying together for the sake of saving money.
When couples vow to stay together for richer or poorer, they're probably not thinking about the poor state of the economy.
But State Supreme Court Justice John O'Donnell says they should because the main reason people get divorced... "It's money. It's money problems that exacerbate any problems they have."
"We had a case yesterday where people had 180,000 dollars in credit card debt."
According to the Erie County Clerk's Office in 2007, they received about 2900 divorce filings.
This past year, that number dropped to about 2800.
Some divorce attorneys argue the drop is due to lack of assests, money, and people realizing that financially, it would be better to stay togehter.
Divorce attorney Shari Jo Reich said, "A number of us are noticing that people have called us for appointments have called to cancel with the economy now they might not have the retainer fee."
Meanwhile, Judge O'Donnell says the hardest part is settling divorce cases.
Even marriage counselors at Catholic Charities in Amherst say they've noticed a spike in couples seeking help because of the recession.
Catholic Charities marriage counselor Jennifer Przynosch said, "Even though the economic situation is in a crisis right now that could be, we hope the impetus for people to work on their marriage.

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