The first working Monday of January
Thinking about separating? Understand your next steps.
After Christmas, many people start to look for help with separation. If that is you, you are not alone. Here you will find plain first steps, free places to turn, and the facts behind the headlines.
What is Divorce Day?
Divorce Day is the name the UK press gives to the first working Monday of January. The next one is on Monday 4 January 2027.
Family law firms say they hear from more people about separation after the Christmas break. Court figures show a modest rise in applications in January to March, about 27% to 28% of each year’s total against an even 25%. They cannot show whether there is a peak on Divorce Day itself. The Divorce Day Report has the figures.
If you are thinking about separating, there is no right speed and no need to decide everything today. This site sets out the basics in plain words and points you to free, trusted help.
Go straight to: Getting divorced · Children · Money and your home · Emotional support
If you are in danger now, call 999. The National Domestic Abuse Helpline is free and open 24 hours a day on 0808 2000 247. Samaritans are free to call, day or night, on 116 123.
Where to start
Understand your next steps
How divorce works in England and Wales, mediation, legal aid, children, money and looking after yourself.
Find free and low-cost support
Free and low cost help, from Citizens Advice and National Family Mediation to Relate and Samaritans.
Facts and report
What the Ministry of Justice figures say about divorce applications through the year.
For organisations and the press
We work with a small number of organisations that help people through separation, such as family law firms, mediators and counsellors. All partner content is labelled as sponsored. Find out more on the partners page. Journalists can find key facts and figures on the press page.
Future dates: Monday 4 January 2027, Monday 10 January 2028 and Monday 8 January 2029.
Sources
- Divorce Day: Why January sees a surge in enquiries, Birkett Long, 23 December 2024. Checked 29 October 2026.
- Dispelling the D-day myth, Jo Edwards, Law Society Gazette. Checked 29 October 2026.
- National Domestic Abuse Helpline, Refuge. Checked 29 October 2026.
- Contact a Samaritan, Samaritans. Checked 29 October 2026.