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10th December 2025
09:57am GMT
A lot of couples will be looking forward to resting and celebrating over the festive season, but your partner may be planning a new-year divorce, according to experts.
January is a month that by the legal sector is known as “divorce month”, meaning that once the festivities have ended, people enquire a lot more about divorces.
In fact, “how to get a divorce” spiked in searches in January of 2024, compared to other months. There were 3,600 searches on divorce that month, according to research.
And the same thing happened this year too, with searches peaking in January.
Small changes in behaviour during the Christmas and New Year period might be a sign that your partner is actually thinking about a divorce, according to Grant Stephens, Family Solicitor and Managing Director at Grant Stephens Family Law.
Stephens says that “within Family Law, we often see a surge in divorce enquiries around January. For many people, the lead-up to the festive season becomes a period of reflection”.
“If their relationship has been going through a difficult patch for a longer period of time, they may decide that the New Year is the perfect time for a change”, he continues.
But are there clear and obvious signs?
According to Stephens, many signs are “rarely dramatic, and are more often than not, small yet noticeable”.
“So if you’re feeling like something’s off but can’t quite place it, you might not be overthinking after all. These changes can range from emotional withdrawal, to them becoming a bit more secretive or having an unusual interest in finances. Individually, these might be insignificant changes, but when put together they may paint a clearer picture of what’s on the horizon”, he says.
However, according to him, you can spot if your partner is thinking about divorce in the new year in these five ways: increased secrecy over phone and devices, unusual interests in finances, withdrawing from future commitments, emotional distance and sudden personal independence.
In conclusion, Stephens adds that January can be an emotionally difficult time for some couples, but recognising these signs can allow people to prepare for themselves, whether that means addressing these issues, getting legal advice, or reaching out to loved ones for support.
