Statistics Show January Rise In Divorces Is No Myth

• Irwin Mitchell divorce team saw instructions up 27% last January when compared with an average month 
• Research found 1 in 5 couples said they were planning to divorce after one last Christmas as a family
• 26% of people admit to staying in relationships ‘for the kids’
• Many people make New Year appointments with divorce lawyers in December
• 40% of parents say financial pressures causing strains on their relationship

Leading family and divorce lawyers at Irwin Mitchell are bracing themselves for another busy January as the New Year period is traditionally one of the busiest months for enquiries.

Instructions for the Irwin Mitchell divorce and family law team, one of the biggest such teams in the UK with offices across the country, were up 27% up in January last year on the average month, while the year before divorce instructions were also up 25%. Monday of the first full working week back after the New Year holiday is often referred to as Divorce-Day or D-day and in 2015 would fall on the 5th January.

Recent research commissioned by Irwin Mitchell revealed that almost one in five married couples were considering staying together over the Christmas period before putting an end to their marriage in January. The same survey found that 1 in four people describe themselves as being with their partner for the sake of their children.

Families can also argue about financial pressures over the festive period and 40% of parents said that this was causing strains in their relationship.

John Nicholson, a specialist divorce and family lawyer at Irwin Mitchell said:

There are over 100,000 divorces each year, but with around half of these involving children, Irwin Mitchell says that most clients start the process with an emphasis on separating amicably.

John Nicholson said:

Read more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in Family and Divorce Law.