Napthens head of family explains why January is ‘divorce month’

29 Jan 2025

Helen Lucking

January is becoming ‘divorce month’ as people reassess their lives following stress, tension and conflict over the festive season, says Helen Lucking, partner and head of family and divorce at award-winning north west law firm Napthens. 

 Statistics for 2023 and 2024 show a consistent spike in the number of people seeking divorce or family legal advice in the first month of a new year. 

 About 26 per cent of 110,770 divorce applications made in 2023 arose between January to March of that year, along with an 18.6 per cent rise in divorce applications between January and March 2024 compared to October to December 2023. 

 Helen explained: “The beginning of the new year often brings a sense of reflection. Many individuals take this opportunity to evaluate their personal lives, including their relationships. 

 “It therefore comes as no surprise that there is a consistent and notable spike in the number of people seeking divorce or family law advice in the month of January, effectively branding January as ‘divorce month’.  

 Although Christmas entails excitement, joy and the ability to create magical memories for many families, others associate the festive season with stress, tension and conflict. 

 A survey of 2,000 British households found that the average British family will have at least five arguments during Christmas Day, with the first typically occurring at 10:13am. 

 Helen said: “With a house full of family, children being home from school for two weeks, and the financial pressures of gift giving for many the festive season leads to a breaking point and can be seen as the last straw in the breakdown of a relationship or marriage. 

 “Some individuals may delay applying for a divorce until the new year to attempt to have one last Christmas with the whole family.”  

 She added: “The change of the calendar year often prompts individuals to self-reflect and reassess their lives. For many, this will focus on health, fitness or new hobbies. 

 “But some people will focus on their relationships. January is an ideal month for a life reset, and for some this will include ending an unhappy marriage. The sense of new beginnings the new year brings often acts as a catalyst for those considering divorce.” 

 The approaching end of the tax year in April, might also prompt people to file for divorce in an attempt to conclude matters before 6 April 2025. 

 Helen said: “While the new year may be a more symbolic time for personal resolutions, the beginning of the financial year is important when it comes to organising finances. Finalising a divorce before the end of the tax year provides both parties with financial clarity for the tax year ahead.  

 “Whatever the reason or thinking, it is important those considering divorce seek professional legal advice to navigate this difficult process.” 

 

Latest news

1

Fylde Council extends Enterprise Zone Development Order to boost economy Lancashire Advanced Engineering and Manufacturing Enterprise Zone

Fylde Council extends Enterprise Zone Development Order to boost economy

18 Feb 2025

2

Edge Hill University secures government grant to drive scale-up of international food exporter Peter Hughes, Director left and Frank Roue Director right

Edge Hill University secures government grant to drive scale-up of international food exporter

18 Feb 2025

3

Innovate Lancashire increases business engagement capacity to accelerate county’s innovation growth Natalie Wilson Hannah Churchman Trudi Waldram

Innovate Lancashire increases business engagement capacity to accelerate county’s innovation growth

18 Feb 2025

4

MP says the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology will be vital in meeting county’s housing needs Maya Ellis MP With Mark Taylor In The Engineering Department CREDIT Callum Pilkington

MP says the Lancashire and Cumbria Institute of Technology will be vital in meeting county’s housing needs

18 Feb 2025

5

Blackburn College lights up CyberFest with a focus on next-generation cybersecurity Umayr Mir talks a visitor through The BLIS Suite

Blackburn College lights up CyberFest with a focus on next-generation cybersecurity

17 Feb 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3
Blue-Modern-Land-Travel-Youtube-Thumbnail-2-1024x576.png.png
LBV Hub Awards
14 Jan 2025 - 18 Mar 2025

Skills Bootcamp in Procurement - Cohort 3

Community & Business Partners CIC, Blackburn, BB2 3UA

09:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

Understanding & Preventing Sexual Harassment - Creating Safe & Respectful Workplaces
Supporting Women's Health in Your Teams A Path to Success-3.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2025

Understanding & Preventing Sexual Harassment - Creating Safe & Respectful Workplaces

*, Online, *

12:30 - 13:30

Choose Chorley for Business Event - Celebrating Chorley's diverse economy, companies, and success
Choose Chorley event
LBV Hub Networking
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2025

Choose Chorley for Business Event - Celebrating Chorley's diverse economy, companies, and success

Park Hall Hotel, Charnock Richard, PR7 5LP

14:00 - 17:30

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Better People Management Workshop
Business Breakfast.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Better People Management Workshop

The Jimmy Arnfield Suite Lancashire Football Association, The County Ground, Thurston Road, Leyland, PR25 2LF

10:00 - 15:30

Women's Health champion training
Supporting Women's Health in Your Teams A Path to Success-6.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Women's Health champion training

*, Online, *

10:00 - 16:00

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person
RKMS ACADEMY LOGO - BLACK AND ORANGE.png.png
LBV Hub Webinar
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Level 3 Emergency First Aid at Work Course - In Person

RKMS Group , Blackpool, FY42DP

09:30 - 17:00

Employment Law, Tax and Payroll Update - East Lancashire
PM and M event
LBV Hub Seminars
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Employment Law, Tax and Payroll Update - East Lancashire

Accrington Stanley Football Club, Accrington, BB5 5BX

08:00 - 10:00

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: February
Freelancer Meet-Up Feb.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
26 Feb 2025 - 26 Feb 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: February

Society1 Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Kickstart Networking - Crazy Golf at Level, Preston
Kickstart Crazy Golf.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
27 Feb 2025 - 27 Feb 2025

Kickstart Networking - Crazy Golf at Level, Preston

Level, Preston, PR1 1HT

16:00 - 18:00

StackedX with PM+M and CFO Techstack
LBV Hub Seminars
27 Feb 2025 - 27 Feb 2025

StackedX with PM+M and CFO Techstack

Red Hall Hotel, Bury, BL9 5NA

08:00 - 10:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV120 Online Graphic 1
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin