Divorces occur every month of the year, but researchers have studied trends to determine when rates rise and fall. One consistent finding is that January often brings a spike in divorce rates, especially compared to November and December, which tend to see a decline.
Couples have unique reasons for filing for divorce in January. For example, some may view the new year as a fresh start. Others might make New Year’s resolutions and decide they want to make significant life changes. January seems like a natural time to take action, so those who have been contemplating divorce may finally decide to move forward. However, one main reason for this trend stands out.
Avoiding the holiday months
The biggest reason for the January spike is that many people hesitate to initiate divorce during the holiday months of November and December. They want to get through events like Thanksgiving and Christmas without the shadow of divorce looming over them.
This hesitation is especially common among couples with children. Parents often want to preserve the magic and joy of the holidays for their kids. While a couple may have privately decided to end their marriage, they often postpone filing until January.
In other words, some couples genuinely decide to divorce in January, as they do in any other month. However, many couples likely made the decision months earlier but chose to delay filing to avoid disrupting the holiday season. All of those divorce cases get filed together in January, causing the spike.
Your divorce options
As the holidays approach and we get closer to the new year, you may find yourself considering divorce. If so, make sure you understand all your legal options and the steps you’ll need to take.