New Year, New Chapter: Is January the Divorce Month?
With the ringing in of the new year, many people make resolutions and commit to making changes to better themselves and their lives. For some couples, that can mean deciding to file for divorce, which is an incredibly difficult decision. January is often referred to as the divorce month as people claim divorce filings spike in this month.
But, is January truly the most common month for divorce? Let’s take a look at some of the statistics and facts about divorce during this first month of the year.
Statistics About Divorce in January
Though it may seem that divorces spike during the month of January, this is only partially true. According to a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there were more divorces filed in March than during any other month of the year in 2019. However, when compared to other months of the year, divorce filings do tend to increase in January when compared to other months, and divorce rates increase, overall, in the first three months of the year.
Reasons Why People File for Divorce During January
Though there is not necessarily one “most common” month for filing for divorce, statistics show that more divorce filings tend to happen in January than any other time of year—likely due to a combination of factors such as financial constraints or holiday pressures from family members and friends.
There are several reasons why people might choose to file for divorce in January rather than in another month, not just including the New Year holiday itself. A major motivation for filing in January can be financial; many people want to wait until the holiday season has passed or until they have filed their taxes, so they can be more financially prepared to handle divorce-related expenses.
The holiday season can also be mentally and emotionally stressful for many people. From familial pressure and holiday events and end-of-year work demands and other obligations, some people push off filing until the first few months of the year to avoid adding more stress to their plates. In some instances, couples may have decided to wait until after the holidays to protect their children by giving them a normal holiday.
Couples may also wait until after the holidays because they want to try and strengthen their bonds with family and friends or each other. Holidays are known for being a time of togetherness, and rather than be focused on a divorce, some people wait to file until January so they can focus on reconnecting with loved ones.
Reliable & Compassionate Divorce Services
If you are considering filing for divorce this coming New Year, we encourage you to reach out to us at William Kirby Law, Family Law Attorneys.We are here to listen and help guide you through your legal needs with compassion and understanding at every step along your journey toward independence and empowerment.
Known for our commitment to helping clients achieve favorable (and the best possible) outcomes, our attorney can help you file a divorce petition or response. If you are still considering whether divorce is the best option for you, we can also simply discuss your legal options and help when the time is right.
Learn more about how we can help you by calling (215) 515-9901 or contacting our firm online. We look forward to hearing from you.