Family law solicitors typically see a spike in the number of divorce enquiries in September. Some firms report enquiries rising by as much as 30 per cent at this time of year.
Many couples finally reach their breaking point once summer ends. For some, the hope was that a family holiday would “fix” things, only to find the opposite is true. For others, the return to school and routines gives them the space… and the resolve… to act.
The top 6 reasons why September often brings this spike in divorce enquiries
1. Extended time together
For some families, summer holidays mean connection and quality time together, and they thrive with this. But sadly, for others, the extra time together is more like a pressure cooker.
Without the daily distractions of work and school, old tensions get amplified. The silences feel heavier, the arguments louder, and the cracks harder to ignore. Some couples realise they’ve grown apart, have little in common, or simply don’t enjoy each other’s company anymore. A holiday can be the catalyst that brings this into sharp focus.
2. ‘Make or break’ holidays
Many couples go away with the unspoken (or spoken) agreement that this holiday will be the reset. A chance to reconnect, repair, or decide if they can make it work.
However, the reality is that often the extra time together highlights the problems even more, instead of fixing them. When they come home, they’re left disappointed and faced with the realisation that there may not be a future together after all.
3. Financial strain
Money issues are one of the main causes of relationship breakdowns. Summer adds extra pressure with the cost of travel, childcare, and activities quickly stacking up.
If couples already have different views about money, the added financial burden can be the final straw.
4. Children going back to school
Like Christmas, many couples decide to give their children one last family holiday before separating. Once September arrives and the kids return to school, parents finally have the time and space to make enquiries, speak to solicitors, and start exploring what an alternative future might look like.
5. A ‘new start’ mindset
September often feels like a fresh start… a new year before the New Year. If a relationship has been difficult for a while, this can be the moment couples decide they want to be in a different place by Christmas.
It gives them time to talk to their children, sort out logistics, and begin again before the festive season.
6. Empty nesters
Some couples consciously stay together until their children finish school. When the last child heads off to university in September, the parents are faced with an empty home and a decision: do we still want this life together, or is it time to focus on ourselves separately?
For many, that moment becomes the starting point of a new chapter.
If this is you…
If you find yourself in this position and have made the decision to end your marriage, it can feel overwhelming, daunting, and difficult to know how to move forward.
My advice is to put your support team in place as early as possible.
- A solicitor to guide you through the legal process.
- A financial planner to give you clarity on the numbers.
- And a divorce coach to support you emotionally, get your strategy in place, and help you map out the next steps.
Friends and family mean well, but they’re not always objective. Having your ‘A team’ around you means you can move through this process with clarity and confidence – and start focusing on building the life you want next.
Ultimately, the goal is to fast track through the overwhelm so you can get your life back on track as quickly as possible. Coaching gives you the structure and strategy to do this, with someone walking alongside you, so you don’t have to do it on your own.
To summarise
September often acts as a turning point for couples – with holidays, financial pressures, and life transitions bringing clarity about whether to stay or leave. If you’re at that point, don’t try to navigate it alone. Having the right support team… solicitor, financial planner, and divorce coach… gives you the clarity, confidence, and emotional strength to move forward and start building the future you want.
You can book your free, no obligation clarity call if you’d like to explore how coaching can support with your next steps.
