Nancy Chemtob speaks with The New York Times’ City Room about divorce on Valentine’s Day.

February 7, 2011

The New York Times’ City Room: Share Your Darkest Tales of Valentine’s Day

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, candy and jewelry bought this week will be left on a pillow, placed on a candlelit table just in time for dinner, whatever.
Cards will be delivered that will make the recipients smile. Cards will be delivered that will make the recipients wonder, “Who sent this?” Cards will, um, fall into the wrong hands, making spouses, significant others, girlfriends or boyfriends wonder somewhat more than “Who sent this?”

“I’ll tell you why as a divorce attorney I don’t like Valentine’s Day, but I like it for the same reason — it’s my favorite and worst holiday at the same time. Nobody wants to go to court on Valentine’s Day, so it’s usually a catch-up day. The few times we end up in court on Valentine’s Day, it’s incredibly awkward. Everybody has Valentine’s Day candy around and is saying ‘happy Valentine’s Day,’ and then you have the two spouses,” said Nancy Chemtob. “And the girlfriends, the mistresses, the wives — they all get found out on Valentine’s Day. The girlfriend gets ticked off that he’s out with the spouse, or the spouse goes out with a girlfriend/boyfriend, leaving the spouse at home, so it’s like game over.”

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With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, candy and jewelry bought this week will be left on a pillow, placed on a candlelit table just in time for dinner, whatever.
Cards will be delivered that will make the recipients smile. Cards will be delivered that will make the recipients wonder, “Who sent this?” Cards will, um, fall into the wrong hands, making spouses, significant others, girlfriends or boyfriends wonder somewhat more than “Who sent this?”

“I’ll tell you why as a divorce attorney I don’t like Valentine’s Day, but I like it for the same reason — it’s my favorite and worst holiday at the same time. Nobody wants to go to court on Valentine’s Day, so it’s usually a catch-up day. The few times we end up in court on Valentine’s Day, it’s incredibly awkward. Everybody has Valentine’s Day candy around and is saying ‘happy Valentine’s Day,’ and then you have the two spouses,” said Nancy Chemtob. “And the girlfriends, the mistresses, the wives — they all get found out on Valentine’s Day. The girlfriend gets ticked off that he’s out with the spouse, or the spouse goes out with a girlfriend/boyfriend, leaving the spouse at home, so it’s like game over.”