Valentine’s Day is an unusual one for family lawyers. Whilst the rest of the country is swept up in a misty haze of love, roses and chocolates, Valentines Day fever has little to no impact on our day job; we are dealing with the after happily ever after, when the relationship has broken down irretrievably.
It can feel odd coming to work on a day like today; from the office window we can see couples holding hands, a woman popping in to get her nails done with a look of hopeful determination written all over her face and a bloke walking back from the supermarket with what is obviously the last bouquet of wilted roses they had in store. Yet here we are dealing with warring exes, arguing over whether the family home should be sold or helping them agree who the children shall spend half term with. It couldn’t feel any less romantic.
Traditionally January and February are considered “divorce months,” with many couples evaluating their relationships after the festive period and in the weeks immediately following Valentine’s Day there is an observed increase in divorce inquiries. There are significant social and financial pressures surrounding this particular day and one can suppose that the highly romanticised expectations of Valentines could trigger individuals to reflect on the state of their marriages.
But it is not all gloom and heartbreak. When a call comes in about a prenuptial agreement, it reminds us that divorce is not the end, it is a new beginning. As family lawyers, we try to make the separation process as smooth as possible, for not just the separating couples but any children of the family too. It is our aim to help clients navigate the transition from being a couple, to becoming independent and to ensure that our client’s get the best outcome to set them up for their new future.
There is always the hope that once the dust has settled from their divorce, our clients will go on to live happy and fulfilled lives; they may learn to love themselves, discover new hobbies or passions and perhaps they will find love again with someone new.
Heather Reilly
14th February 2025