Happy Divorce Day

Whilst the fun and festivities are over for another year, a number of people can find the effects of debt and stress finally take their toll. It is one of many reasons why this time of year is known as Divorce Season. However, there could be a solution to marriage breakdown and over the years I have certainly seen some of the simplest remedies become the most effective.

Today is “Divorce Day”. It is the one day of the year that we divorce solicitors expect to see a spike in separation requests. Today, Monday 7 January, is the first Monday after Christmas and New Year. This is when the “back to work” has really set in and the bills start landing on the doormat.

Of course, divorce is not just a seasonal thing. According to the Office for National Statistics, there are more than 100,000 divorces in England and Wales every year. In 2015, 60% of divorces in England and Wales were granted on adultery and unreasonable behaviour – which is the most common factor used for divorce (83% among women, 73% among men).

However, sometimes divorce is preventable. Marriage can be difficult and most of the couples I see in my office have simple forgotten how to communicate. Talking can be a great healer and our mediation team has also managed to resolve many a dispute just by keeping communication open.

Over the past few weeks, we have been posting a series of blogs relating to a number of topics, including how to “divorce-proof” your marriage, as well as considering other options, such as alternative dispute resolution. Please do give them a read if you think they may be relevant to your situation.

If you would like some advice relating to your own separation, civil partnership dissolution or access to children, contact the Family Law team at Downs Solicitors to see how we can help.