The first working Monday of the New Year is often followed by a rise in enquiries from people considering a separation from their spouse - a trend often blamed on the pressure and expense of the festive season.
Alison McKee, Partner and Head of our Family Law team, says that while the extra strain can prove a breaking point, major life changes should not be made while tensions are high, even if divorce may ultimately prove the best route for some.
The number of divorces has been slowly decreasing from around 13,400 in 1985 to 6,800 in 2017. The main exception to this trend was a sharp rise in divorces in 2006. This rise can be attributed to the reduction in non-cohabitation periods required to prove irretrievable breakdown of a marriage brought into force by the Family Law (Scotland) Act 2006.
The total number of divorces granted in Scotland in 2017-18 was 6,873, 13% fewer than in 2016-17 (7,938). In 2017-18, 61% of divorces granted used the simplified procedure.
Alison said: "People who get in touch with us early in the New Year have generally spent months - sometimes years - thinking about divorce, but fears of upsetting families, being alone or facing a challenging financial situation have put them off.
"Although it is a happy time for many, relationships which are already fragile are more likely to buckle under the added pressure and expense that Christmas brings.
"Money is a common issue and if one half of a couple feels that their partner is not pulling their weight financially, or at least trying to, then it can very quickly cause resentment to grow."
“Our experience is that cool heads are crucial at the beginning of what can be a very difficult process.
"It’s important not to make any hasty decisions when tensions are heightened and it can often be useful to talk to someone outwith the family.
"In many cases, a return to the normal routine after the holidays can help to reduce the stress but of course, ultimately, separation and divorce may well be the inevitable and right outcome for some couples."