On January 1st of each year, the majority of people wish each other a Happy New Year. However, among divorce attorneys, January 1 commences an upsurge in the filings and potential clients seeking to file for divorce. Divorce attorneys are kept busy after the holidays. While it is not an official designation the way that Women’s History Month is, January has earned this nickname in the legal circles.
Among the many reasons for the increase in divorce filings in January are the following:
- HOPE FOR THE MARRIAGE.
Many couples, during the various holidays celebrated leading up to the New Year wait to file because they are still working on the marriage. Being surrounded by holiday festivities and good cheer and family and loved ones provides couples with a buffer for their marital woes. Unfortunately, this buffer ends with the beginning of the new year. Without holiday excitement to distract them, couples often realize in the month of January that it is time to file for divorce;
- GETTING THROUGH THE HOLIDAYS.
Other couples have already come to the conclusion that the marriage is over well before the end of the year holidays. However, they often want to get through one last holiday season together with the children before ending their relationship. Waiting to file for divorce until January also helps couples avoid the awkward, unpleasant explanations during the end of the year holiday gatherings with friends and relatives;
- ADDED STRESS FROM THE HOLIDAY SEASON.
For some, the end of the year holiday season increases or exacerbates marital struggles rather than lessening or alleviating them. Extra expenses during the holidays can add stress to a financially troubled marriage. Trying to keep a cheerful attitude when you actually feel miserable can be depressing. Interpersonal conflict and the additional financial strain can make the holiday season a challenge to get through. Such stressed out couples may be more than ready to commence a divorce action once January 1st comes around;
Other stressors include travel and spending lots of time with family which can contribute in fracturing the marriage. By January 1st, many people feel that they do not want to ever go through this kind of stress during the holiday period again.
- IN THE NEW YEAR YOU CAN HAVE DOUBTS.
Come January, everyone has their minds set on New Year’s resolutions. During this time, we brainstorm about new personal and professional goals we want to attain during the new year with an emphasis on new beginnings. Couples who have been struggling with their marriages for a long period of time and finally become “sick and tired of being sick and tired”.
The holidays come with huge expectations. You convince yourself that it is the only way to give your kids one more holiday season with the family intact and there is nothing wrong with that.
In some cases, the holidays might actually be the proverbial last straw that breaks the camel’s back.
The truth of the matter is, there is no right time to file for a divorce and every individual should consider what is right for his or her own specific set of circumstances. January might be the divorce month for many, but only if you can decide when or if this decision is right for you and for your family.
If you are considering filing for a divorce, you must begin meeting with a trusted experienced attorney who can discuss your specific situation and advise you how best to move forward. The Board-Certified Marital and Family Law attorneys at The Law Firm of Charles D. Jamieson, can provide you that advice so that you can decide if filing for a divorce in January is the best choice for you.
