ClickCease A divorce for Christmas? Most couples wait until after the holidays | Lovelace Law P.C. | Fort Worth | Burleson

Studies have suggested that most couples wait until after the New Year to seek a divorce.

When it comes to the right time of year to file for divorce, there is no right or wrong answer. However, there are trends that reflect the most popular months of the year when people in Texas and elsewhere decide to end a marriage. Historically, most people tend to wait until after the winter holidays before pursuing a divorce, as recent studies suggest.

According to a survey involving over 550 people by a divorce mediation company, an average of one out of every 12 considered asking for a separation or divorce during the holiday season. This number was slightly higher for women.

In numerous studies conducted by divorce analysts and others, reports SFGate, most people who are considering a divorce wait until after the holidays to make their announcements. The numbers of divorce filings begin to rise after the New Year and continue to increase over the next couple of months. March is considered by many to be the busiest month of the year for divorce filings.

People usually find compelling reasons to wait

For as many reasons there may be to ask for a divorce while the holidays are in full swing – frequent arguments with one’s spouse, not being able to bear the thought of spending another Christmas with the in-laws, feeling like it’s best just to get it over with – there may be more reasons to wait. These can include the following:

  • Preserving family peace until the holidays are over
  • Getting a fresh start after the New Year
  • Holiday plans being too busy and stressful to add more stress
  • The added expense of holiday shopping
  • Avoiding the association of the holidays with a painful divorce
  • Not upsetting the children

In fact, the impact of a divorce on children is one of the main reasons parents wait until after the holidays to announce plans to divorce. They believe this time of year should be happy for children, instead of causing family disruption and heartbreak. Parents may also be hesitant to bring up the topic of child custody during this time, especially when it comes to which parent gets the children on which holiday.

Other common divorce issues can give a disgruntled spouse a reason to pause before going forward with a divorce. Dividing marital assets and debts plays a big part in divorce considerations. For example, the one considering the divorce may be trying to time it right so he or she does not have to count a work bonus as marital property. It can also be difficult to decide which type of divorce to pursue – litigation or an uncontested divorce option such as mediation or collaborative law.

No matter what time of year you’re considering a divorce, it may be a good idea to consult with an experienced Texas family law attorney to discuss your situation.

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