If you’re starting off 2020 by filing for divorce, you’re certainly not alone. January has even been nicknamed “divorce month” by family law attorneys who see an increase in new clients when they return to the office after the holidays.
Part of this phenomenon has to do with New Year’s resolutions to finally take action to get out of an unhappy or even abusive marriage. However, one attorney who has represented some well-known entertainers in their divorces notes that the holidays are a big factor.
The stressful holiday season, where couples are often spending more than the usual amount of time together, can be the final nail in the coffin of an already troubled union. She says, “By the end of it, many people feel like, ‘I do not want to ever go through this holiday period again with this person.'”
Further, many people don’t want to announce the news just before the holidays — particularly if they have kids. They want the family to have one last holiday season together.
One woman who wrote a book about divorcing an abusive spouse says that women in particular consider how the timing will impact their kids. She says that it’s “one of the reasons why women — even if they decided that they’re gonna divorce — don’t file during the holidays. They want that one last Thanksgiving or Christmas together . . . as a family.”
She recommends that anyone contemplating divorce do a little research about what it will involve. The more prepared you are, the less intimidating it will seem. It’s also good if you have a few people whom you know will be part of your support system.
It’s often wise to talk with more than one attorney to make sure that you have one who is on the same page as you regarding your strategy and goals. You also want someone with whom you feel comfortable knowing very personal things about your marriage and your life. A good attorney-client partnership can make all the difference as you go through the process of divorce.
