Law firms are bracing themselves for a New Year divorce boom as couples stressed by the Christmas period rush to untie the knot.

Some leading specialist practices reported taking on up to three times their normal number of divorce cases after last Christmas.

And a survey for the information website Insidedivorce.com found as many as one couple in five seeks advice on divorce after Christmas.

Lots of extra festive drink at Christmas parties is often blamed for causing a predictable wave of family misery that washes up in the offices of law firms early in the New Year.

Overindulgence is not necessarily a cause, however, but often a symptom of problems such as extra financial pressures from the Christmas shopping spree, disparate relatives being thrust together, and estranged parents being separated from their children.

For many specialist family solicitors, the Christmas break falls in the middle of a season of ill-will between couples and former partners, often ending up being resolved by the courts.

In the run-up to Christmas, arguments between former partners about contact and residence increase, often requiring lawyers to intervene.

Between Christmas and New Year, injunctions may be needed to restrain abusive and sometimes violent partners.

Then, in February, when both the financial consequences of separation and the unpaid Christmas bills hit home, there is more work to do handling ex-partners' debt problems and, possibly, bankruptcy.

Often these problems hit some of the most vulnerable people in society who are least equipped to deal with them.

By contacting Community Legal Advice, the legal aid funded helpline (0845 345 4 345), high-quality advice is available free to people on benefits or a low income who qualify for legal aid.

John Binks, North West Region acting regional director of the Legal Services Commission, the organisation that runs legal aid, said: "We all look forward to Christmas as a time to relax surrounded by our families, but the reality for many is a long way from this cosy image.

"It can be a very stressful time that puts relationships under a great deal of pressure and some of them don't survive.

"It is at difficult periods like this that we work with our skilled and dedicated providers, to ensure people get the help they need.

"Wherever possible we support mediation to help resolve people's problems before they get to court but sadly this is not an option for every couple, especially where domestic abuse is involved."

People can get help by calling Community Legal Advice on 0845 345 4 345 or by clicking the link below.