Although ‘Divorce Day’ is a relatively modern term and a media-constructed name for the first working Monday of the new year, it is true that more people consider divorce in January and start to make the first steps towards divorce once the festivities of Christmas and New Year’s Eve have passed. More accurately, January should perhaps be known as ‘Divorce Month’, but it is certainly true that divorce enquiries hit a peak straight after the festive season and at Consilia Legal we are in a position to offer you a sympathetic ear and the expert advice you need at this difficult time.
Common factors in couples seeking divorce are often financial matters, family responsibilities and the stress of family relationships. These can all come to a head at Christmas when many people are in pursuit of making everything perfect, and face the strain of entertaining extended family, travelling, drinking alcohol and finding extra money to do all this. But Christmas and an extended period of time off work often provides a period of reflection too, and the new year is the ideal time to make a new start and to put some plans into action.
A higher number of divorce enquiries on Divorce Day
The BBC reported in January 2023 that law firms can face divorce enquiries in the month of January up to 150% of the levels they normally see on average across adjacent months such as November, December and February. This backs up the theory that couples often face intolerable levels of stress over Christmas, which combined with a break from work and starting a new year, represents the best time to put divorce plans into practice.
Divorce Day – the first working Monday of the new year – is often the first chance many people get to contact a solicitor and to initiate decisions they have come to over the festive period. Laura Clapton, our director, family solicitor and mediator, deals with many divorce enquiries in January and is well placed to comment on the impact of the festive season on any pre-existing marital strain. Laura commented:
“The stress of the festive season is often the tipping point for relationships which are already struggling. Tensions can reach breaking point as a result of more demands financially and emotionally. The routine of work is often a distraction and as we don’t have that over Christmas, people tend to reflect more and come to difficult decisions. Filing for divorce is a stressful process at any time, but when it comes straight after Christmas and New Year, it can cause added upset and disruption to family routines, particularly when children are going back to school.. Our team are experienced in facing these challenges and can offer compassionate support. We can also put our clients in touch with professional services who can provide them with emotional support to help them manage their situation.”
How to cope when deciding to divorce
Coming to a decision to file for divorce is a very sad and emotional time for everybody. But how you manage this can be more damaging than the decision itself. Laura has put together some tips, if you are considering divorce this January:
- Don’t make rash decisions – Although January inevitably offers the chance of a new start, divorce should be a decision that has been some considerable time in the making. Don’t feel compelled to make the decision to divorce just because it is January, make sure you are committed to the decision and have conviction over it. It has to be the right thing for you and your family, not just because it is convenient to do it in January.
- Have a good support system around you – Use the help and support of friends and family so you can navigate this difficult period and still maintain stability for your children. You also need a good family law solicitors with expertise in divorce and you should also consider emotional support to ensure your health and wellbeing is prioritised.
- Consider mediation – The courts always encourage divorcing couples to consider mediation and other alternative dispute resolutions. Mediation is a way to prevent animosity and to find amicable solutions for the financial, legal and children’s aspects of a divorce. It also avoids the costly and more public elements of court proceedings, which can add to your emotional strain at such a difficult time.
- Make future plans – It is important to see the bigger picture and not to get consumed by the divorce itself. . A lot of this will come from the mediation process and agreeing a mutually acceptable settlement with your partner. It is essential that any agreement reached provides a solid foundation for your financial future and also maintains healthy relationships with your ex-partner where children are involved.
Divorce and separation can be extremely challenging for all parties and on ‘Divorce Day’ you might be facing this difficult decision yourself. If that is the case, contact our team at Consilia Legal and we can help you every step of the way.