While most couples and families have enjoyed the summer holidays, for many the break often means just that – it’s time to end a marriage and go separate ways.
Lawyers at Wake Smith are expecting the traditional post-holiday spike in separations to continue, with the first days after the end of the summer holidays, along with the first Monday after the New Year, often referred to as the most popular divorce days.
Lindsey Canning, head of family law at Wake Smith, said: “Many people having doubts want to spend one last summer holiday or Christmas period with their other half and family to see if things will work out.
“Every year we see a marked rise in enquiries and instructions in late August from people who have decided that the time is right to separate from their partner.
“Holiday time is often the final straw or the catalyst to call a divorce lawyer. Financial pressures around holidays are often key issues in arguments at this time of year with many people admitting this causes a strain in their relationship.
“Holidays create expectations of an idyllic family life that are often not met and the stress this brings can reveal the cracks in a relationship.
“The latest research from America has also echoed these findings with spikes in divorce rates coinciding with the end of the winter and summer holidays.
“Whilst there is never a good time to get divorced, many people consider now to be the least worst, in that the summer holidays are over and the divorce may be finalised by Christmas.”
Lindsey expects the surge of divorce enquiries at its Sheffield office, as the summer holidays draw to a close.
However, not all couples have the luxury of picking and choosing when to file for divorce.
Lindsey added: “Regardless of when it occurs, divorce can be a long and emotionally draining process which needs specialist advice. Our experienced divorce solicitors understand that this is one of the hardest times in people’s lives.
“We aim to deal with each case with sensitivity, compassion and efficiency, to minimise the cost and stress, and to support our clients throughout the process with practical, sensible and honest legal advice.”
Latest research from the Office of National Statistics showed that there were 114,720 divorces in England and Wales in 2013, a decrease of 2.9% since 2012, when there were 118,140 divorces.
The number of divorces in 2013 was highest among men and women aged 40 to 44.
For those married in 1968, 20% of marriages had ended in divorce by the 15th wedding anniversary
whereas for those married in 1998, almost a third of marriages (32%) had ended by this time.
For advice on divorce contact the Family Law team at Wake Smith on 0114 266 6660.
