Divorce Trends: Waiting Until After the Holidays to File for Divorce

According to a recent study, it is relatively common for couples to vacation and celebrate holidays together in the month of December, only to turn around and file for divorce in January. Divorce filings actually peak in March, after the holidays have passed and individuals presumably have undertaken the preparation needed to file for divorce. On the both the state and national levels, December is traditionally the month in which the fewest couples file for divorce, whereas March sees the highest number of couples filing for divorce, leading to the study’s leader dubbing March as “Divorce Month” following its examination of divorce filing trends nationwide.

Avoiding a December Divorce for the Children

Many couples may wish to allow their children to have one last holiday season with all of the family traditions continuing normally. They don’t want to disrupt what is supposed to be a happy time of year with bickering, splitting up belongings, and one parent moving out of the marital home. Nor are they quite ready to abandon their holiday routines in favor of the children splitting time over the holidays with each parent on designated days at specific times. In some respect, while the shift to a divorced family might be inevitable, parents seem to be reluctant in general to initiate these sorts of changes during the month of December.

Finances Often Preclude a December Divorce Filing

In addition to a couple’s concerns about their children’s holiday routines, they also may need to wait a few months after the holidays to file for divorce based on their financial situation. December is traditionally a month that involves abnormal spending patterns as gifts are purchased for children and other relatives. A spouse who is seeking to hire an attorney often needs a couple of months to save up sufficient funds to retain a divorce attorney and initiate the divorce filing. These few months give each spouse time to choose an attorney, gather necessary financial information for the divorce filing, and decide upon a strategy for approaching the divorce. Couples who are able to do so often will take this time to discuss the impending divorce and how they would like to see it resolved.

Call Your Florida Divorce Attorney for Legal Assistance Today

The timing of filing for divorce is only one of the many difficult issues that you will face as you proceed with your decision to divorce. Nonetheless, you are not alone. Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices, LLC, is here to help you in this type of situation by analyzing your circumstances and help you make the decisions that are best for you and your family. Contact Vanessa L. Prieto Law Offices, LLC in Fort Lauderdale right away, and learn how we can assist you throughout the entire divorce process, from beginning to end.