As the holiday season winds down, you might hear about another lesser-known event, “Divorce Day”, which takes place on the first Monday of the new year.
What is Divorce Day?
Divorce Day is a day on which law firms supposedly see a spike in couples filing to split from one another. This year, it will take place on the 6th of January 2025.
The origins behind Divorce Day are likely tied to practical reasons such as law firm and court closures over the holiday break rather than anecdotes of burnt turkeys and family conflicts over the holidays.
Kathryn McTaggart, Director and Family Law Solicitor at Woolley & Co, sheds light on this myth:
“The concept of “Divorce Day” in January oversimplifies a complex and deeply personal decision. Framing January as a peak time for divorce diminishes the thoughtful and often painful deliberation involved in such a decision. Many individuals and couples spend months, or even years, agonising over what is best for themselves and their families.”
“The decision to divorce may have been made well before the holiday season but postponed out of compassion—to avoid disrupting family festivities — or due to financial constraints, such as the cost of legal proceedings.
January is a notoriously tight month for household budgets. After the expenses of Christmas and with looming bills, it’s improbable that people are rushing to cover legal costs for a divorce application. Practical and economic factors, including interest rates, the housing market, and general financial security, play a far greater role in determining when people feel ready to proceed with such a significant step.”
“The introduction of no-fault divorce in England and Wales includes a mandatory 20-week period of contemplation before a divorce can progress. This period is designed to give individuals and couples time to consider the implications of their decision. This structural feature alone makes the idea of a knee jerk decision or January ‘quick fix’ unrealistic.”
“Rather than perpetuating the myth of “Divorce Day,” it’s important to focus on the realities that influence this deeply personal decision: financial stability, family well-being, and careful planning — not “clever” marketing.”
Kathryn’s Advice:
“It is vital to recognize that divorce is not a decision to be made lightly. Seeking proper legal advice is essential to understanding the consequences and ensuring that any action is taken at the right time and under the right circumstances. At Woolley & Co, Solicitors, we prioritize the best interests of our clients, taking care to ensure that any decision to proceed with divorce is made with careful thought and preparation. However challenging their Christmas might have been, we would never rush a client into filing without a full understanding of their situation and their options.”
