Congratulations! You've hooked yourself a millionaire spouse. But now his bonus has been slashed. (Yes, your rich spouse probably is a "he".) Or his employer is down-sizing. Or his hedge fund is deep underwater. Meanwhile, the family home could hardly be depreciating faster if it were on fire. Should you cut your losses and get out? Or wait for the recovery?

According to a survey published yesterday - albeit one commission- ed by divorce lawyers - eight out of 10 high earners believe that hard times in the City are boom times for the divorce courts. This is partly because money worries can strain even the most affluent marriages, but it is also a matter of market timing. High-flyers may find that a period of temporary unemployment is the ideal time to throw the spouse overboard on the cheap. Or they may find their partners want out, fearing that worse is yet to come. Both sides can't be right.