Most months have a strong association with special events. November is when people celebrate Thanksgiving, and February is associated with love for many people due to Valentine’s Day.
January may be the start of a new year, but it has a reputation for something substantially less pleasant. Many people now refer to January as “divorce month.” Married people who understand this trend can make more informed choices about the future accordingly.
What caused the nickname?
January has a reputation for being the month when more people than usual start considering divorce. Some researchers estimate that as many as a third of all divorces begin in January, even if people don’t file paperwork with the courts immediately. Lawyers who offer family law services may have more initial consultations in January than in any other month. Many of those new clients do eventually follow through with ending their marriages.
Why do people act in January?
The holidays strongly contribute to the divorce month trend. Some people wait until after the holidays to file for the sake of their children or to give their spouses one last chance to prove their dedication to the relationship. Others start thinking about what they want for the future and realize that divorce is necessary. They schedule a consultation with the lawyer during the first weeks of the year and then begin exploring their options for ending an unhappy marriage and moving on with their lives.
What happens before a consultation?
Unhappy spouses considering a divorce filing may want to assess their circumstances carefully before meeting with a divorce attorney. They can collect records related to household finances and marital issues. Reviewing their concerns and documents with a lawyer during an initial consultation can help them understand their rights and what might happen should they divorce. Attorneys can educate people about property division, financial support and child custody matters. They can help clients identify potential divorce complications and determine what documentation might be necessary for an optimal divorce outcome.
Frequently, those who initially begin talking about divorce in January spend multiple months preparing before filing paperwork and discussing the matter with their spouses. Scheduling a sit-down meeting with a divorce attorney can be helpful for those considering a divorce filing. Many people take that first step in January in the hopes of having a better future.