Why Is There an Increase in Divorce After the Holidays?

 Posted on November 26,2024 in Divorce

Although the holidays are a time for family togetherness and traditions, there is another side to this Norman Rockwell picture. The first part of January is one of the busiest times for divorce attorneys, with the U.S. divorce rate climbing by almost a third during this time period. In fact, January is often known as the "divorce month," and the first working day after Christmas and New Year’s is often known as "D-day" because of the record numbers of spouses filing for divorce.

The U.K. has statistics that are much the same; a poll of more than 2,000 married spouses in the U.K. reported that one out of five couples polled planned to file for divorce after the holidays. This begs the question of why spouses wait until the holidays are over to file for divorce. Spending what is meant to be a happy holiday with a person you are planning to divorce seems less than festive.

However, there are valid reasons that many spouses wait until after the holidays to file for divorce. If you are contemplating divorce, speak to an experienced Rolling Meadows, IL divorce attorney from Law Offices of Donald J. Cosley to determine the best time to file.  

Do the Holidays Cause Marriages to Break Up?

While it may seem like the stress of the holidays causes marriages to falter, most divorces do not suddenly appear out of nowhere simply because a holiday was stressful. Many couples were already halfway to divorce court and either decided to stick it out through the holidays, or the stressful holidays were the final straw. The most common reasons couples wait to file for divorce until early January include:

• Couples who have children do not want to split up right before Christmas for the children’s sake.
• Many couples already have plans in the works for the holidays, whether that is a family vacation to Disneyland or plans to travel to visit relatives.
• Pragmatically speaking, many couples wait until the new year for tax purposes, allowing them to file as a couple and potentially receive tax breaks for the current year, then file separately the next year following the divorce.
• Many people associate the new year with a clean slate, so it seems the logical time to file for divorce. Introspection and setting new goals seem to coincide with ending a marriage that has had problems for a significant time.
• Some prenuptial or postnuptial agreements include clauses that take effect after a specific number of years, so a spouse may need to conclude the current year.
• The stress of the holidays was the final straw; holiday spending, parties, events, travel, and visiting relatives can stretch an already troubled marriage to the breaking point.
•  Occasionally, a spouse contemplating marriage may wait out the holidays in hopes of a Christmas miracle that will save his or her marriage.  

Contact an Arlington Heights, IL Divorce Attorney

Regardless of your reasons for choosing to divorce after the holidays, having a strong legal advocate in your corner is extremely beneficial when you begin divorce proceedings. A Rolling Meadows, IL divorce lawyer from Law Offices of Donald J. Cosley will ensure your divorce goes as smoothly as possible and that the outcome is as favorable as possible for you and your children.

Attorney Don Cosley personally handles every aspect of his cases. If you call the office with questions about your divorce case, you will speak with attorney Cosley and will never be passed off to a paralegal or other staff member. This level of personalized attention sets Law Offices of Donald J. Cosley apart. Call 847-253-3100 today to schedule your free consultation.