Lawyers brace for traditional January spike in divorces

January sees a spike in divorces, lawyers say
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Robin de Peyer3 January 2016

Lawyers are bracing for the traditional seasonal spike in divorces this month.

A rise of about 25 per cent on usual levels is expected at leading firms as marriages break down after the strain of the festive period.

Alison Hawes, a divorce and family lawyer at solicitors Irwin Mitchell, said: "Sadly, the January divorce spike is no myth as people generally feel that the New Year offers a new start for them and their family.

"Every year we see a marked rise in enquiries and instructions in January from people who have decided that the time is right to separate from their partner.

"Many appointments will have been made in advance by people who were already planning to start the divorce process in the New Year, while others may have had a bad time over the holiday period and realised that they want to make a fresh start in January.”

She said that while adults could speak to their divorce lawyers and get advice on what happens next, it was known from research that young people, especially teenagers, often did not know where to turn for advice once they were told the news by separating parents.

Irwin Mitchell says it is now working with the charity Kids In The Middle to reduce the impact of divorce and separation on children by providing a support network for people affected.

Duncan Fisher, who set up the charity, said: "Being a teenager is hard enough and having their family life drastically changed at a crucial and often already stressful time in their lives, leaves many young people feeling alone and lost.

"We want to give people a chance to speak to family experts as well as other young people so they can better handle the emotions and stresses that come with this situation."

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