The holidays can be tough for some families to get through. But are they the last straw for some marriages? Is December the reason January sees such a rise in divorce filings? Turns out, there are plenty of reasons why the month of resolutions and starting over is also the month of ending relationships.
Don’t Wreck Christmas
The holiday season is considered a pretty lame time to file for divorce. Many families opt to have one more Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, or Christmas together – no matter how unhappy the husband and wife may be – before getting down to business in January. Statistics show that the first Monday in January often includes a surge in divorce filings. Logistically speaking, there are only three weeks of court time available in December – it’s also just easier to wait until January to get things started.
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Research Time
Other couples in Michigan and worldwide choose to get through the holidays and then begin exploring their options in January, seeking divorce advice and ultimately filing for divorce. The American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers reports that the number of divorce filings is one-third more than normal in January. This trend continues through February and peaks in March.
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New Resolutions
Eating better and working out aren’t the only New Year’s resolutions. Many people want to begin the New Year by putting their old relationship behind them, so they consider January the best time to start fresh. And that includes getting online and getting back out there. Match.com reports a 38 percent jump in registrations for their online dating site between December and February.
Light in the Depths of Winter
January can be a difficult month to weather. It’s dark, it’s cold, and it can be depressing, especially when you start receiving the credit card bills filled with holiday purchases. The thought of approaching yet another Valentine’s Day with your current spouse can be tough for some people to stomach. Many people decide that it’s better to take action sooner rather than later.
Ultimately, the month of January doesn’t cause divorces. Most likely, at least one half of a couple decided long before the first month of the year that divorce was in their future. Wherever you are in your relationship, whether you’re ready to file or merely looking for advice, contact Michigan Divorce Help in Mt. Clemens, MI, to schedule your no-cost and discuss what’s ahead for your new year.