Solicitors stand by for ‘D day’

As the Christmas and New Year celebrations conclude, solicitors around the region will be preparing themselves for the influx of calls they will receive regarding divorce.

Known as ‘D day’, this is first day legal offices open after the festive break and it is traditionally the busiest day of the year for divorce enquiries.

Zoe Porter has recently joined Everys Solicitors as its newest partner and has experienced 13 D days in her career.

She said: “A lot of couples drag themselves through Christmas before picking up the phone to their solicitor. The majority of divorces will be on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour, which for some people may be one too many Christmases spent with their in-laws or being the recipient of a misjudged Christmas gift, and for others it will be for more serious reasons.

“Whatever the reason, the concentrated time people spend with each other over Christmas can unfortunately fuel a marriage breakdown.”

Mrs Porter is an expert in financial remedy in cases involving divorce, pensions and business. She also acts for unmarried co-habiting couples and same sex couples.

She added: “The law is different for unmarried couples as they are not protected by the matrimonial courts. Their action is relatively limited and their claims can be very complicated as the courts do not have the power to alter shares in property.

“But whether married or unmarried, couples that do break up after Christmas are doing exactly the right thing by calling their solicitor so they can guide them through the process and, where possible, avoid the courts in reaching a financial settlement.”