Monday 9th January is officially ‘Divorce Day’ or ‘D-Day’ as it’s better known – the date in the calendar that marks the biggest influx of divorce enquiries at law firms all over the country.
D-Day usually strikes on the first working Monday of January and is thought to be down to the prolonged time that partners spend together during the festive period, the emotional and financial pressures of Christmas and the amplification of trying to make everything ‘perfect’ for the big day.
It is thought that couples usually plan to divorce long before Christmas and they have chosen to delay the process in the hope of putting on a brave face for their families.
The latest figures released in November 2022 report that there were 113,505 divorces granted in 2021, up from 103,592 in 2020. This figure is expected to continue rising in the years to come.
Head of Family Law at Taylor Emmet, Michaela Evans, said: “Solicitors generally see a rush of new divorce enquiries on ‘Divorce Day’.
“Christmas itself can be a pressure point for families. There’s so much expectation on families to provide the very best for their families – whether that be financially or to portray a false sense of happiness.
“Christmas carries a lot of expectation – we’re surrounded by the idealistic image of what Christmas is meant to look like – but that is not the reality for a lot of people.
“We know in the build-up to Christmas – people are busy, they are tired, and a lot of the time overworked. So, adding in the expectation of a perfect family life for the big day can really push couples to the breaking point in their marriage.
“Christmas can shine a torch on the cracks in the relationship that were already there because around Christmas everything is so amplified. We see people who have overspent during the festive period which then adds to a couple’s stress and worry.
“This year more than ever, we are expecting to receive even more enquiries due to the increased pressures around the cost-of-living crisis that families are currently living through.
“The law has also changed in April 2022 which now means that no-fault divorces can now be processed, and the process can start online – which could potentially lead to people starting a divorce without talking to a professional.”
Michaela advises couples to ensure they don’t make rash decisions.
“We want couples to make sure they make the right decision and that a divorce enquiry shouldn’t just be done on a whim. We’re there for our clients and we will do everything we can to make the process as easy as possible.
“We encourage couples to take a breath, really assess their situation and ensure that divorce is definitely the right path for them.”
At Taylor Emmet, our Family Law team are highly trained in providing the best possible support and advice for their clients. We have a network of specialist divorce support coaches and financial advisers to help provide the best possible advice when needed.
We talk our clients through a full range of options for the divorce process including mediation, traditional representation, collaboration, and ResolutionTogether.
We aim to make the process as quick and efficient as possible – whilst remaining empathic and understanding.
Our friendly Family Law team are on hand to provide you with the help, guidance, and support that you need. Get in touch for a chat and we’ll be happy to help. You can call us on 0114 218 4000, or e-mail info@tayloremmet.co.uk.
