Second lockdown could spark divorce spike, warns Sheffield solicitor

Bradie Pell, head of family law at Graysons Solicitors in Sheffield city centre has been dealing with a number of divorce enquiries since the first lockdown came to an end.

The record-breaking levels have even been peaking above the yearly ‘divorce day’ – the traditional spike in January that sees couples that have managed to hold it together for the festive period finally throwing the towel in.

Law firms traditionally see a lull in divorce enquiries in the summer months, but this year – with the pandemic causing couples to spend months alone with each other – many have been reporting a 40 per cent increase when compared with the same period in 2019.

Bradie says: “It has been an incredibly challenging situation for everyone. The first lockdown tested the resilience of even the strongest marriage.

“But my fear is the impact of a second lockdown. Couples are just starting to get their lives back together and settling back into a more healthy work/life balance. Another lockdown could be curtains for many. Add spiralling levels of mental health issues and increasing alcohol consumption brought on by Covid and you have a looming catastrophe.

“It has been truly heart-breaking to see previously happy couples going through the emotional turmoil of a divorce brought on by the first lockdown. I just hope, if the worst does happen, couples learn from their experiences earlier in the year and give each other the space and tolerance to get through a second.

“It’s also true that many of the enquiries we get don’t actually end in separation.

“Speaking to a divorce solicitor regularly confirms the enormity of what you’re about to embark on and that can often persuade people to try again.”

Born and bred in Sheffield, Bradie Pell started her legal career at the University of Sheffield where she successfully undertook a degree in law and criminology. Bradie then went on to complete her Legal Practice course at the University of Sheffield.

Bradie deals with the whole spectrum of legal issues that affect families, including divorce, separation, finances, injunctions and matters relating to children.

Graysons, of Silver Street Head provide 30 minutes of legal advice for free for anyone seeking help – call 0114 299 4759. For more information, see graysons.co.uk