On behalf of Stange Law Firm, PC posted in Divorce/Separation on Friday, December 27, 2019.
Many things are on the minds of parents during the holidays. For many, it is to ensure that their children are able to spend quality time with their children, celebrating it with as much joy as possible. The holidays can be a challenging time for parents whose relationship has hit a breaking point; however, even when an impending end is near, many parents will hold off on filing for divorce until after the holidays.
January is known as divorce month, and many family law firms gear up during this time of year to prepare for the influx in divorce filing. The first half of January is when law firms see a huge uptick in new clients and divorce filings. According to Google trends, it is also the time when “divorce parties” is searched for the most. In fact, this query rose 21% from December 2018 to January 2019. A similar increase is expected for this upcoming January.
Going back as far as 2001, data shows that there has been an increase in divorce filings when compared to the rate in December. This seasonal pattern for filing for a divorce after the holidays has remained consistent for decades. While divorces are on the decline, showing a decrease in 8% when comparing data from 2017 and 2007, it is also imperative to note that the rate of marriages is also on a decline.
Many factors come into play for why many wait until January to file for divorce. For some, they have travel plans during the holidays or they just spent a lot of money for gifts. Others are more focused on family time, and they hope to preserve one last holiday together before their union is ended.
No matter the reason for a divorce filing, it is important to fully understand the process. This means also noting one’s rights when it comes to moving forward with the process. Even when spouses are in agreement, divorce issues can arise. In these matters, it is important to know what legal options are available to resolve these matters.
