The holidays can be a fun but stressful time for a lot of families in Maryland and around the country. Couples that already had communication issues are sometimes pushed to the brink during the busy holiday season. Financial stresses and family obligations can bring hidden marital problems to the surface, and divorce filings tend to peak in January.
January is often called “divorce month”
Divorce attorneys often refer to January as “divorce month” due to the sudden onslaught of divorce cases and post-divorce asset transfers that usually follow New Year’s Eve celebrations. Analytics from Google Trends also shows that searches for “divorce” are highest between Jan. 6 and Jan. 12 each year.
January is well known for being a month when people like to get a fresh start, but is divorcing a New Year’s resolution for most unhappy couples? The anticipation of starting a new life could have something to do with the January divorce trend. However, a lot of divorcing couples are just waiting to file until after the holidays.
Couples with kids may not want to file in December
Couples that have young children often avoid filing for divorce until after Christmas break. That way, children can enjoy the holiday festivities without having to think about their parents’ divorce just yet. An impending divorce can still be very stressful for parents, though, especially while they are under pressure to go to a lot of events together.
Divorcing during tax season
One benefit to filing for divorce in January is that this is usually the month when people go over their financial records anyway. If you are planning to divorce in January, you may be able to get a lot of your divorce paperwork organized while you are completing your tax forms. While divorce can be difficult, getting prepared ahead of time can make things a lot easier.