My New Year's resolution? A divorce!

It’s not surprising that solicitor divorce enquiries surge following the stressful festive period every January. According to statistics, around 42% of marriages end in divorce and in 2019 there were 108, 421 in the UK. 

Divorcing can be one of the most stressful and turbulent periods of your life, often with families, living arrangements and finances to worry about. If you are considering a divorce, then it’s always worth finding out the legal facts and procedures from a reputable family lawyer, if you are looking for advice or information, this page lists the best divorce lawyers in Exeter. In the meantime, we take a look at the main reasons people divorce in the first month of the year. 

Reasons for divorce in January 

One of the main reasons couples divorce in January is because of the time spent together during the holidays and the fact that it is often a stressful time for families of all shapes and sizes. Ahead of January, people begin looking into the details of divorce, how things work and where they stand legally. However, they need to wait until everyone is back in work after the holidays, that’s when the enquiries roll in. 

What is Divorce Day? 

Divorce Day is commonly referred to as the first working day back in January after the Christmas holidays. It is the day when initial phone calls are made to solicitors and difficult conversations are had. This rush in enquiries can often lead to a large accumulation of cases for the courts to deal with, leading to some people having to wait weeks or months. 

When divorce is a New Year resolution 

The New Year is typically preceded by festivities and fun at Christmas but not for everyone. The holiday season can lead to arguments and conflicts and it can highlight unresolved issues for many couples too. Some of the most common reasons for divorces all year round include financial disagreements, a lack of intimacy, lack of communication, abuse, couples who stopped loving each other and a lack of affection. It could also be the case that Christmas is the ‘final straw’ and the New Year represents the perfect timing for a divorce, and a chance to start a new life. Some people may have been putting off an inevitable divorce for some time and seize the opportunity at New Year to take action. 

Are there any other times of year when divorce enquiries are common? 

Although it’s easy to see why January is known as ‘Divorce Month’ there are other times of year that also see a peak. March and August are busy periods with some research pointing to a 21% increase in divorce applications submitted in the month of March compared to January. Other legal firms cite September as one of the active months for divorce due to the unsettling return to school and work following the summer holidays. However, this doesn’t change the fact that January is a difficult time of year for couples who have experienced additional pressures at Christmas and whose relationship is already not faring well. 

A New Year and a fresh start  

Although divorce can be a very harrowing time, using the New Year to make a fresh start can help you come to terms with embracing a new future. The timing of a New Year gives you the green light to make some positive changes in your life, be that letting go of a toxic relationship, seeking counselling to make positive steps forward or discovering the hobbies and lifestyle you’ve always wanted but have been unable to do.