Today marks the beginning of the busiest week in divorce lawyers’ calendar and, according to research conducted by InsideDivorce sister website TakeLegalAdvice.com, it will be even busier than usual as couples feel the effects of the credit crunch on top of holiday season pressure.

With the D standing for divorce, this Monday has become known as D-Day among the marital law profession as a result of the number of couples seeking legal advice following an intense period spent with their spouse over Christmas.

Of the 700 couples polled for TakeLegalAdvice, 18% claimed that their marriage was on shaky ground with 20% saying they would consider divorce and 6% saying they are actively on the case.

The situation is exacerbated this year by the credit crunch with one in every four couples complaining of its effect upon their relationship. With 13% of divorcees saying that money troubles had contributed to their divorce, the survey suggests that such additional pressure over the festive period could be the nail in the marital coffin for British couples.

One of the UK’s leading divorce lawyers, James Stewart of Manches LLP, confirms the trend: “We are expecting this to be our busiest day and indeed our busiest week. A stressful Christmas is already often the final straw for marriages in trouble. The double whammy of Christmas and the credit crunch will make the first full week of January one of the busiest ever.”

“The research has proved what many are saying,” adds Derek Bedlow, Managing Editor of TakeLegalAdvice.com, “that the credit crunch is taking its toll on British households. Many think about divorce, but the added pressures brought about by the downturn may be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.”

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