Britons are turning to credit cards, overdrafts and personal loans following a relationship break-up, according to the findings of a new survey.

The survey of separated British adults, published by family law organisation Resolution, found that:

• Three in ten (28%) say they turned to loans, an overdraft or in some cases increased credit card debts as a direct result of relationship break-up.
• One in six (16%) admit that they’ve either asked or been offered financial help from a friend or family member.
• Over a quarter (26%) had to move in with a family member or friend following a split.

The survey also found that people with children appear to experience even greater financial problems:

• Over a third of separated or divorced parents (36%) report that they have needed to take out a loan or gone into debt to deal with the financial strain caused by separation or divorce.
• Parents were also more likely to rely on family and friends for financial assistance, with one in five parents (21%) leaning on others for help, as opposed to 14% of childless adults.

“Too many people enter into a divorce or separation process without a full understanding of the financial consequences,” explained Resolution chair Jo Edwards.

“And with over 50,000 people forced to represent themselves in the family courts every year as a result of the loss of legal aid, we’re concerned that many people are entering the courts with little understanding of how divorce will affect their financial future, and that of their children,” she added.

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