Is January really divorce month?

January is a month often associated with new starts, but did you know that over the years it has also earned itself rather a cynical nickname?

For many in the family law or family counselling business, January has unofficially become known as divorce month.

Now, this may come as a surprise to some, but it’s not a reputation without some merit.

Data from the Family Court Statistics Quarterly bulletins supports this theory, with the number of divorce petitions often peaking in the first quarter of the year.

While this doesn’t point specifically towards January, it does suggest that the beginning of the year serves as a catalyst for people to make a change in their personal lives.

One reason for the spike in interest many family lawyers experience in January could be the stress and expectations associated with Christmas.

For those with young children, the pressure to present a picture-perfect day can be intense, so anyone thinking of disrupting the family structure may be more likely to wait until after the festivities to begin any proceedings.

There’s also a common stereotype that many spouses don’t get on with their in-laws and – if this is true for some – having the extended family round for Christmas could act as a further motivator for change.

Or, it could just be that after the excitement of Christmas and New Year is out of the way, the January blues can bring about a rude awakening.

Finances are often tight, the summer holidays are a distant memory and everywhere you look, the media is pushing forward the message to make changes and embrace a new start.

While for some this could be committing to a new gym routine, giving up junk food or taking up a new hobby, for others it may just mean ending a relationship or marriage that simply isn’t working anymore.

For friendly, confidential advice about divorce or relationship breakdown, contact Partner and Head of Family, Emily Cannell on ecannell@mincoffs.co.uk or by calling 0191 212 7718.