Unfortunately, for some families this Christmas won't be so merry. Instead of a time of happiness, Christmas can bring some families a time of sadness and heartbreak. It is thought that the extra time that families spend together at Christmas time can lead to family break ups as arguments are on the rise, sometimes, fuelled by alcohol. In some cases, issues that have been boiling away in the background throughout the year come to a head at Christmas with the stress and pressure that Christmas brings as well as families living in each other's pockets and not being in their usual routines. Family breakups can cause a domino effect and all aspects of many people's lives can be affected, especially children. Research has shown that a quarter of parents have secretly considered separating from or divorcing their partner. Local statistics • 1 in 10 adults in Kirklees are divorced or separated • 2 in 5 children in Kirklees experience family breakdown, half of these can experience this before the age of 3 • Locally since 2001 the proportion of couples married in the Kirklees area has dropped by 5% The thought of divorce and the effects it can have on people's lives can be daunting enough without the confusion of the law and procedure. With this in mind, here at Ramsdens we can make the divorce process as simple as possible. We can advise you as to all of the effects a divorce can have on you and your family and how to proceed. If you would like to speak to one of our experts we offer free 30 minute consultations at any of our 12 offices. We have appointments available from 7:45am until 7:00pm Monday to Friday. Call us free on 08000 147720.