Divorce Day – myth or reality?

Like most stories of this sort there’s a great deal of exaggeration but certainly many specialist divorce solicitors will find themselves taking a higher number of new enquiries at the start of each year if not specifically on 'Divorce Day'. So why does this happen? Whether it's a media trend or their own creation, the real reasons may well be more straightforward than you might think.

Very few people make the decision to divorce or separate swiftly or lightly. They may well have persevered with a failing relationship for a long time. For some, the Christmas period with its stresses, strains and enforced periods of family “togetherness” will be the last straw and a difficult Christmas will be the catalyst for deciding that things have got to change. The start of the new school year after the long summer holidays often sees a similar rise in enquiries about divorce and relationship breakdown.

Of course the New Year is also a time for resolutions and new beginnings and for some it’s that which leads them to the decision that this is going to be the year when things change, hopefully for the better.

It’s certainly true that the start of each year is a time when many people take advice about relationship issues. Some will then progress matters, some won’t. What is important however is that they get a clearer idea of their options and make informed decisions about what’s best for them and their family.

As a family lawyer I know it’s very hard for clients to make objective long term decisions with their head when they’re in an emotionally difficult place. It’s up to us as divorce solicitors to provide the right level of support for each client, alongside giving them legal advice, so that they’re best placed to make the important, long-term decisions.