Why divorce enquiries rise in January and Hay & Kilner's amicable options for couples

Why divorce enquiries rise in January and Hay & Kilner's amicable options for couples

Every January, Hay & Kilner’s Divorce & Family Law Team starts the year with a familiar pattern: a surge in enquiries about separation and divorce. It’s so noticeable that the first working Monday of the New Year has long since earned the informal title of “Divorce Day” among lawyers and counsellors and the whole of January is often referred to as “Divorce Month” in legal circles.

Fiona Ryans runs through why this happens and what it means for you if you’re thinking about this difficult step?

Why January? The new year, reflection, and relationship strain

There isn’t a single factor that makes January such a prevalent time for divorce enquiries, but several trends appear consistently in data and commentary from our team and peers:

1. Christmas can amplify existing tensions
The holidays are a time of intense family interaction and financial pressure. Couples already struggling may find that living in close quarters over Christmas, dealing with expectations, extended family, and the pressure to make the season “perfect” exposes or exacerbates long-standing issues. Many couples wait to seek advice until after this period has passed

2. The new year as a time of reflection
January isn’t just another month, it’s a symbolic fresh start. Much like personal resolutions about health or career, relationships also come under review. When couples realise they want a better future that doesn’t include their current marriage, the New Year offers a natural break to seek help.

3. Practical timing - after the festivities
Many couples delay action until after Christmas to avoid upsetting family celebrations, especially if there are children involved. Once the holidays are over and routines resume, people feel ready to speak to a solicitor and take the next steps.

4. Financial realities and stressors
While the idea of a post-festive spike might be partly anecdotal, research has found that money worries whether from gift spending, bills, or broader cost-of-living pressures are a leading stressor in marriages and a factor in decisions to separate.

These factors combine to make the start of the year one of the busiest periods for our team but that doesn’t mean you have to face it with stress and conflict.

What “One Solicitor, One Solution” means at Hay & Kilner

At Hay & Kilner, we understand that divorce or separation isn’t just a legal process, it’s an emotional journey that affects families, finances, homes, and futures. That’s why we’re one of the few firms in the North East able to offer both Collaborative and ‘One-Solicitor’ divorce and separation services, which are compassionate, efficient, and less adversarial alternatives to traditional legal approaches.

1. A single point of contact
For many couples, one of the most confusing parts of separation is managing multiple professionals including different solicitors, mediators, accountants, and counsellors. With our “One Solicitor, One Solution” approach, you have one consistent legal expert guiding you through every step, keeping communication clear and reducing unnecessary stress. Additionally we also offer a Collaborative process where parties are separately represented by collaboratively trained solicitors who work together constructively and agree at the outset to deal with matters co-operatively and outside the court arena.

2. Amicable resolutions
Rather than defaulting to court battles, we help couples explore co-operative separation and alternative dispute resolution options. This means working together, when possible, to agree on issues such as finances and child arrangements, without costly and stressful court hearings. It’s a pathway that preserves dignity and often leads to better outcomes for all involved.

3. Designed for all families
Whether you’re contemplating separation in January or any other time of the year, our team offers tailored support for your situation. We focus on listening to your priorities and helping you reach solutions that reflect your needs, not a one-size-fits-all process.

Why this matters in January and beyond

The start of a new year often brings clarity about what truly matters: stability for children, fairness in financial matters, and the emotional wellbeing of everyone affected. When couples choose to address their separation constructively through either the Collaborative or ‘One Solicitor’ process and with experienced support, they can avoid the combative legal culture that so often adds stress to an already painful experience.

Whether you’re just beginning to think about separation, or you’re ready to take the next step, both our “One Solicitor, One Solution” and Collaborative approaches at Hay & Kilner provide a supportive, efficient, and effective way forward.

Get in touch today, because wherever you are in your journey, expert guidance can make all the difference.