Divorce season: The Separation Guide reveals January 2 is the day most couples consider separating

“Divorce season” is officially here, with experts revealing why January 2 is the day separation inquiries peak.

A major independent separation and divorce service is bracing for its busiest day of 2025.

While there’s barely been time to pick up the New Year’s Eve party poppers and champagne corks, CEO of national divorce technology platform The Separation Guide, Angela Harbinson, has revealed her site receives more inquiries on January 2 than any other day of the year.

“Over the past few years we have seen a bit of a pattern of people inquiring into separation and divorce early in January with activity peaking on January 2 … our data shows a considerable jump on that day in the number of people looking for ways to get information about separation,” she said.

“I do think it is a combination of things; I think Christmas time in particular is often an emotionally-driven time for a lot of people … a lot also look at the New Year as a time of reflection and make resolutions for what they might like their life to be in the year ahead.”

Founder of divorce technology platform The Separation Guide, CEO Angela Harbinson

She also points to the ongoing cost-of-living pressure and notes more people accessing the site are referencing redundancies.

“But the big thing I have noticed is the rise in the number of business owners who are separating which aligns with the number of businesses going through insolvencies … we saw the same trends during the GFC,” she said.

Still, those among “the higher-income level” aren’t immune to the post-festive season relationship blues.

“We are certainly seeing more people inquire about separation who’ve a combined family income of between $180,000 to $360,000 … what is positive is they are really wanting to find more amicable ways to separate and are seeking financial and legal advice to ensure fairness and avoid battling it out in court,” she said.

Specialist trained collaborative lawyer and co-founder of Resolve Divorce, Rose Cocchiaro.

Top Adelaide lawyer Rose Cocchiaro agrees “divorce season” has started, tipping more activity once school returns.

“The next couple of weeks are crucial for couples … how they behave now has an impact on how they navigate the process with or without conflict,” the specialist-trained collaborative lawyer and co-founder of Resolve Divorce said.

“Rather than dwelling on the negatives of your spouse, consider how you might successfully co-parent and even build a friendship post-separation … imagining a better future can give you a sense of direction and purpose as you move forward.”

Melbourne-based accredited family law specialist Annmarie Farrell adds: “January is the time of year that most people choose to separate and start the divorce process … when a person has been unhappy for a long time, the new year can be seen as a good time to make the difficult decision to separate.”