Divorce Day

Interest in divorce lawyers really took off in 2020, hitting its highest in September 2020 after searches increased massively from the start of 2019. As this is the kind of search query someone might use when they’re just starting to look into the legal process of ending a marriage, it makes sense that we’re seeing such a dramatic increase in 2020 as the stress and tension the COVID-19 pandemic brought left a strain on many relationships.

Search volume for the term sat at around 3,000 back in May 2018, but the sudden spike in interest now sees nearly 6,000 make that query each month.

Like shopping, dating and just about everything else, even divorce is moving online now. January 2019 saw search volumes increase by 236% from the previous month, and there was an 83% increase in January 2020. While Divorce Day is used by solicitors to describe the increase in enquiries at this time of year, it seems that January is still the most popular month for couples to seek out their options online.

Unlike shopping and dating, though, divorce isn’t an impulse decision and we always advise speaking to an expert divorce solicitor like the team here at Grahame Stowe Bateson.

Unreasonable behaviour is the most common reason cited in divorce cases. Unsurprisingly, interest in this term peaks around Divorce Day each year in January.

Adultery was once the primary reason for a divorce, but now only accounts for 10% of divorce cases in the UK. Interest in the term is on the decline and sees no noticeable spike in January, suggesting other factors are involved in making January such a big month for divorces.

The biggest concern often cited around divorce is exactly how much it’s going to cost, and this is reflected in search behaviour online.

January 2020 saw a 26% increase in searches for ‘cost of divorce’, with nearly 2.5k looking for more info on the topic in the UK.

Usually, the Christmas break is the first time that couples will spend an extended period of time together, which can lead to more arguments or expose issues in relationships. Add to that the stress of making sure Christmas goes to plan, financial troubles and just having more time to reflect on the future and it can leave some couples questioning if they belong together.

2020 saw a complete change in circumstances for many people which can put pressure on relationships and explains why we’re seeing the rise in online searches around divorce. For couples who separated earlier in the year, it might also be a case of waiting until after Christmas to speak to a solicitor, which is another reason why Dirovce Day occurs in January.

If you are experiencing a relationship breakdown and need helpful and practical advice on what to do next, please call our divorce experts based at our branches in Leeds, Middleton, Bramley and Harrogate or get in touch here.