Extramarital affairs reported as the main reason for divorce

In new data from research we undertook, 38% of people said that adultery had caused their marriage to come to an end.

The research was carried out in the lead up to ‘Divorce Day’ in January. Also known as ‘D-Day’, it is reported that couples are most likely to apply for divorce on the first Monday of the new year following the festive season.

The study also found that the second most common reason for divorce was couples ‘falling out of love’ with one another, with one third (34 per cent) of divorcees.

Lack of communication was also cited as one of the main reasons by 31 per cent of people.

The definition of “cheating” has changed in recent years for many people, with ‘emotional cheating’ - the act of developing emotional connections with someone without physical intimacy - as well as social media providing an active opportunity for people to have online and discreet extramarital affairs.

The festive period is often seen as a time when extramarital affairs can happen, with the popularity of Christmas nights out and work parties, as well as online affairs beginning through people spending time on social media and browsing the internet during their annual leave.

While divorce continues to be associated with acrimony, lawyers highlight the significant impact of, so-called, “no fault divorce”, which was introduced in April 2022, and which enables couples to avoid attributing blame. This helps start the process in a more constructive and amicable manner, which is particularly important where children are involved.

Georgina Chase, Head of Family Law, says:

"The introduction of no-fault divorce was a welcomed change in the law and has undoubtedly had a positive impact on helping spouses to navigate Divorce in a more constructive way, for the benefit of their family.

“It is a sad fact that the post-Christmas period, which culminates in so-called D-Day, does bring a marked rise in people deciding to start divorce, however it is unlikely to have been a decision taken lightly and in reality, it will have been made after much heartache and emotional turmoil. By seeking early advice from a Family Law specialist, you get the information you need to help you make informed decisions which are best for you and your family.