Attorneys gear up for busy ‘Divorce Day’

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CALGARY (660 NEWS) – Today could be one of the busiest days of the year for local attorneys as the new year gets into the swing of things.

Paralegal Zeina El-Sayed said that the first Monday after New Year’s Day has come to be known as ‘Divorce Day’, due to troubles couples taking the day to start separating.

“A lot of us know that divorce rates are going up. Right now, it’s speculated that (…) between 50 to 60 per cent of the (marriages) end up in divorce,” commented El-Sayed.

“It’s a huge thing, so many people deal with it.”

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According to El-Sayed, the Monday after the holidays end is an opportune time for troubled couples to reflect on the past year.

“A lot of people this time think back on last year and reflect on where they are, where they want to be and how they feel. Are they in a place where they are happy?”

The holidays can also serve as an excuse to ignore any ongoing issues until the busy season is over.

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El-Sayed also said there are some new changed in 2020 that can prove beneficial for couples who may not be married but are existing in an interdependent relationship.

As of this year, the prior Matrimony Property Act was changed and updated to become the new Family Property Act in order to help those unmarried relationship, commonly known as common-law partners.

“This is huge. There was so much ambiguity and unknown around how to divide assets and property for those people who are not married.”

El-Sayed said that, prior to the updated act, such relationships had no true guidelines and could suffer in a time of separation.

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