Many people served with divorce paperwork feel as if this filing “came out of left field.” They had no idea their spouses were unhappy enough to even consider divorce. Even those who recognize there may have been issues in their marriages often feel blindsided when their spouses file.
The reality is that service with divorce paperwork is often the culmination of many months of careful consideration and prior planning. The filing spouse may have already spent time discussing the matter with an attorney, gathering documentation about the household and making plans for the future.
Frequently, those plans begin in January, even if they do not come to light for some time. Many people refer to January as “divorce month,” as it is frequently when people start acting on their desires to leave their marriages.
What makes January different?
There are two main factors that contribute to the spike in divorce activities in January. The first is the beginning of a new year. Many people spend the last days of December and the first days in January thinking about their circumstances and considering what might improve their lives.
For those in stagnant or unhappy marriages, divorce may seem like the best possible option. Many people eventually reach the decision in January that improving their lives requires a drastic change to their family circumstances.
In cases where the divorcing couple has children, the holidays might be why January is the month they take action. Parents want to give their children one last happy holiday season with the whole family together. Even those without children may wait until after the holidays. They may hold out hope that their spouses might do something over the holidays to improve their marital dynamics.
Occasionally, the inverse is what inspires divorce. One spouse utterly fails to consider the other during the holiday season or doesn’t take responsibility for any aspect of giving gifts to family members, arranging for travel or planning get-togethers. Disappointment in the holiday season after years of unmet expectations can leave people ready to move on and start a new chapter.
Some professionals disagree with the trend of calling January divorce month. They point out that there isn’t a significant statistical increase in divorce filings or finalizations in January. However, quite a few family law attorneys notice an uptick in initial consultations in January every year.
If a disappointing holiday season or a desire for a better future has inspired thoughts of divorce, spouses may need to learn more about their rights and the laws that apply. Scheduling a consultation with a divorce attorney could be the smart decision for those in struggling marriages accordingly.
