First Monday of the year brings spike in divorce inquiries, say family lawyers

A quarter of married people has thought about splitting up, with money topping the list of grievances, lawyers have said on “divorce day”.

The first Monday after the new year is associated with a spike in inquiries for divorce lawyers.

Lorraine Harvey, a family lawyer from Slater and Gordon, explained: “Relationships that are already showing cracks are likely to buckle under the added pressure and expense that Christmas brings.”

Its research today reveals 22 per cent of couples have considered ending their marriage. Of 2,093 adults surveyed, 12 per cent admitted financial pressures could cause a split, with 16 per cent saying money had caused an argument as recently as the past week and more than a quarter saying finances were behind “most” of their marital arguments.

Others cited a lack intimacy, with 23 per cent sleeping in separate rooms. Sex was a “chore” for 14 per cent and 10 per cent have not been intimate with their other half in more than a year. Some even said they planned to cheat in 2018, with 15 per cent admitting they were likely to kiss someone and eight per cent saying they may sleep with someone else.