The Divorce Month: Tips To Navigate January
Every January, there is a spike in the number of divorce filings – and this spike tends to continue for the duration of the month. This is why it’s known as Divorce Month.
What is it about January that leads to this increase in the number of couples filing for divorce? And what can be done to navigate this tricky month?
Every divorce or separation is unique, although there are some factors that are important to understand for January – and this knowledge could help those couples that are thinking about separation to fully consider their decision as well as to prepare for the process.
What Is It About January & Divorce?
There are a number of factors that make January different to other months when it comes to couples contemplating filing for divorce.
Factors include:
- New Year’s Resolutions
January is popular with many for setting new goals and ambitions for the year ahead – and often people wait until this month before making big changes. This time of year is seen as ideal for fresh beginnings, which for some couples means ending an unhappy relationship by going ahead with separation or starting divorce proceedings. - New Year
Many people use the start of a new year as the incentive to get organised and sort through finances – and for some, this analysis of the practicalities of finances and separation results in filing for divorce. - Christmas Fun
Some couples will choose to wait until January for different reasons – Christmas is often a happy time that is all about family, and many people will want to maintain this happiness for their children during the holiday season and wait until the new year to take action about their relationship. - Christmas Stress
For others, it’s not a conscious decision to wait until January, it’s more that the festive season is busy. Furthermore, while it’s a fun time of year it can also be stressful with the additional family time and expenses, which can add stress to an already strained marriage and lead to divorce filings in January.
Are You Contemplating Divorce In January 2025?
Before you take any action, make sure you have thought through what divorce means for you and that you understand your rights and responsibilities.
We have some top tips to help you to prepare for divorce, listed below:
- Seek legal advice
Speak to a family law solicitor to help you understand the legal aspects of a divorce for your situation – the steps involved, and what you should expect in terms of property division, childcare and financial matters. - Be aware of the changes to divorce law in 2025
The no-fault divorce was introduced in 2022 which made the process more straightforward in England and Wales. There is now no need to apportion blame – this is seen as a positive as it usually means that filing for divorce is less combative. - Put children first
Your children should be your main focus. Think about how divorce will impact them both practically and emotionally, including where they will live, which school they will go to, and their wellbeing. - Next is you
Getting a divorce is a stressful time for all concerned and it’s understandable to feel overwhelmed. Be sure to tap into support from friends and family, as well as professionals if needed, to help you manage the process. - Get your finances in order
It’s worth being organised with your finances and having a clear picture of your income, assets, debts and expenses, before filing for divorce. - Keep talking
Communication is key so make sure you talk to your spouse if possible. If there are any issues or disputes, talking the matters through helps and if this becomes challenging, it’s worth considering a mediator.
The Divorce Process
As a guide, the divorce process involves:
- Submission of the divorce application
- Duration of 20 weeks cooling-off period
- Issue of the Conditional Order (formerly known as the Decree Nisi) that confirms you meet the grounds for divorce
- Issue of the Final Order (formerly known as the Decree Absolute) that legally ends the marriage
Helping You With Divorce
Our family law solicitors have the experience, knowledge and empathy to help you if you’re contemplating divorce. Whether it’s legal advice, mediation or support with filling for divorce, we are here to provide tailored guidance and support for you and your situation.
This January will likely be like all other January’s and see a big increase in divorce filings. We understand that this spike is usually the result of months or even years of contemplation, and that it is a difficult decision to make for many. By working with us at HLF Berry, we will do all we can to smooth the process for you and ensure the outcome is the most positive for you and your family.
To speak to us about your situation or about filing for divorce, you can contact us at our Chorlton office on 0161 860 7123 or email chorlton@hlfberry.com or at our Failsworth office on 0161 681 4005 or email failsworth@hlfberry.com and we will be happy to help.
