The January Divorce Effect
At this time of year the press is full of articles proclaiming that January is “Divorce Month”. Is this a true phenomenon or is it just media hype generated by solicitors to attract business at the start of the year?
The answer is “yes” and “no”.
Yes there is certainly an increase in enquiries in January, but no, most application actually occur later in the year due to the amount of time it takes to put applications together, start children act proceedings and try and negotiate the financial side of any separation.
There are a number of reasons for the rise in enquiries during January, rather than say November, as it is understandable most people do not want to start this traumatic process prior to the festive period, opting instead maybe to have one last Christmas together before deciding to separate and start divorce proceedings to avoid disrupting family celebrations, especially for children.
The festive period itself can also be a time of reckoning for couples.
Most couples are not usually together 24 hours of the day, except during holiday periods and spending a lot more time together than they ordinarily do, can create more stress while highlighting other difficulties in the relationship.
The intense pressure of spending extended time together, high expectations, family dynamics, and financial worries can exacerbate existing relationship issues. The arrival of credit card bills and a clearer view of the previous year's finances in January can bring underlying monetary tensions to a head.
January also symbolises fresh beginnings and is a natural time for reflection and making life-changing resolutions, such as ending an unhappy marriage.
When the children go back to school in January it can be easier to find time to seek advice and make decisions without the children being present.
In addition to this, for couples who have already separated and are trying to manage existing contact arrangements, the festive period can be highly emotive if firm arrangements have not been put in place. Arguments can and do arise over who the children will spend Christmas Day with and how the school holidays will be split between the parents.
It is also sadly a common time, as with the school summer holidays, for parents to relocate with the children, often without the knowledge or consent of the other parent.
I have already taken on two new cases since Christmas, one where the mother has announced she is relocating the children over 150 miles away and another where the Christmas contact arrangements broke down. In both cases expediency is key, first to put a Prohibited Steps Order in place to prevent the mother relocating the children without permission of the father and court first, and in the second case it is essential to get the contact arrangements back in place before the next school holiday and before a new status quo is effectively put in place.