Rise in Divorces Expected in January

The new year often sparks a rise in demand for divorce lawyers, experts say. After a festive season in which many couples and families spend an unusual amount of time together, problems within relationships can come to the fore – while people also often use the start of a new year to assess their relationship status. Support service Relate said it saw an 80% surge in calls from December 2012 to January 2013 – with 10,608 in December and 19,138 in January. Chief executive Ruth Sutherland said: “January is always very busy for Relate. Sadly, many couples and families face a tough time over Christmas as it’s often when people spend concentrated time together – which can bring to light any underlying issues. “Also, new year is a time when many of us naturally assess how life is going and this can make people think about how their relationships are faring.” Our Family and Matrimonial team helps families across West London and Bucks. For advice, contact a member of the team: call us on 01494 790000 or email familylaw@ibblaw.co.uk.