January is notorious for being a busy time for divorce and family law firms. Commonly referred to as the “Divorce Month,” studies have shown that American divorce filings usually spike in January and peak in March. So what accounts for the increase in divorces in January?
- Holiday Spirit – Nobody wants to be accused of “ruining” Christmas, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah or New Year’s with the announcement of a divorce, especially if there are children involved. The holidays are also a busy time for families and the courts as well. This is why couples will usually hold it together through the holidays and then announce a divorce at the beginning of the year.
- Starting a New Year – The new year is seen as a time to start with a blank slate. Some people may have created New Year’s Resolutions that include getting out of an unhappy or unhealthy marriage, which naturally leads to the decision to divorce at the start of the new year.
- Tax Reasons – Many couples wait until the New Year’s to file for divorce because of tax reasons. If you file in January, you can still claim married status for the New Year, which offers many tax benefits for both parties.
- Heightened Stress – The holidays are naturally a stressful time for some families, emotionally and financially. If your marriage is already on the rocks, the holiday season may put additional stress on your marriage, which may eventually lead to divorce.
Although many couples find January to be the right time for their divorce, the reality is that there is no perfect time for divorce. Each family will have their own reasons for divorce and they should decide when it’s time to end the marriage. Malinowski Hubbard and our team of Fairfax divorce attorneys can provide all the legal and emotional support you need to navigate this difficult time. Feel free to contact us for a consultation.