Article written by Mandeep Clair, Family Solicitor
2024 is upon us and we have reached that time of the year of “out with the old and in with the new”. Well intended new year’s resolutions have been made relating to fitness and exercise, diet, alcohol, and caffeine consumption. This can also be the case for relationships with the first working Monday of the year being known as ‘Divorce Day’ and January being referred to as ‘Divorce Month’.
There are a number of reasons why people wait for January to end their relationship. One person may be struggling with the marriage before the festive season. If they have children, the Christmas period is supposed to be a magical time so they commit to providing one last happy period as a family. By January, if it is still not working, they know it may be time to consider their options and move on.
Christmas can be a stressful time. It can take its toll financially as it tends to involve extensive gift-giving, travel and food preparation. The festive period is a time when people spend extended periods of time with family members and emotions can run high. If you are unhappy in your marriage, it can be known to push those feelings to ‘breaking point’. However, it doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom.
The conclusion of a marriage can mark the commencement of a fresh chapter in life. Whether you’ve faced challenges in grappling with your separation over the past year or are embarking on the new year separated, you might be curious as to what lies ahead in the coming year.
For individuals navigating divorce, a valuable new year’s resolution can involve addressing conflicts with your ex-spouse or partner. Managing a challenging ex-partner can be disheartening and frustrating, especially when attempts to establish a co-operative relationship for the sake of your children appear unrewarding. The benefits for both you and your children can therefore be substantial. The actions of parents during and after separation or divorce – such as parenting approaches, emotional handling, and collaboration – are pivotal to their children’s resilience in facing parental separation. Research indicates that it’s not the divorce itself, but the manner in which it is handled, that affects children.
Effective communication is crucial, particularly for parents aiming to facilitate the best possible transition for their children and maintain family cohesion. A proactive approach to achieving positive communication involves committing to co-parenting and embracing the compromises essential for a healthy relationship with your ex-spouse. Instead of dwelling on the past, shift your focus towards the future.
We are aware that seeking legal advice can seem daunting and you may have no idea where to start. This is why we are offering a free, initial telephone consultation. If you would like to discuss the contents of this update further or for more information on a family matter, feel free to email me or contact the team on 020 8858 6971.