The month of January ushers in the dead of winter, when temperatures across the northern hemisphere are at their lowest. Many people also believe that the month of January brings a higher risk of marital breakdown, as marriages that appeared to be “just on the rocks” – or even absolutely OK – days or weeks before suddenly fall apart.

January is unofficially known as “Divorce Month” in some quarters, and it has a reputation for being a trigger month for couples breaking up – but why? Divorce is complicated and unique in each circumstance, so there is no one-size-fits-all solution. However, we’ll attempt to present some explanations to assist you understand why January has earned this reputation. If you are going through a divorce at this time, we want to assist you understand why it is happening now rather than later.

The New Year instills in us the desire to reflect on our lives.

One of the most prominent explanations for a jump in divorce filings in January is that it’s the time of year when people think about the changes they want to make in their lives. Typical New Year’s resolutions include improving one’s diet or increasing one’s physical activity. A goal for the New Year for someone who feels that their marriage isn’t working out as well as they had intended could be to pursue divorce. The commitment to this objective, like any other less serious resolution, is probably at its highest in January.

The Holiday Season Is Over

The holidays may have played a factor in deciding to divorce in January — and it’s not usually the one you expect. There’s a lot of pressure on people to “get through” the holidays as happily as possible, even if it means ignoring more significant worries about their relationships’ general stability. Even if the logic doesn’t completely work out, the reasoning behind it makes sense: People like to equate the holidays with happiness and togetherness, especially when children are involved, so they may be hesitant to file for divorce until after the holidays.

One other reason the holidays could play a role is that many people use them as a litmus test to see if they truly want to break their marriages. If someone who is conflicted about divorce makes it through the holidays, they may feel compelled to engage with their spouse on resolvable issues. On the other hand, someone may see a terrible holiday season with their spouse as the final sign that they should divorce as soon as possible.

Finally, the holidays are a hectic time of year in general. Work may be burdensome as firms aim to smash records in Q4, youngsters have recitals to attend before heading on vacation for a few weeks, and family celebrations and gatherings “must go on.” Divorce, for many people, is simply more trouble than it’s worth for the time being.

Realities in Finance Come to a Head

Since January follows the holidays, it’s likely that there’s been a lot of unusual spending. While this may not be enough to break the camel’s back on its own, the reality of a person’s total financial situation while married to their spouse may set in when additional bills are incurred. If a person believes they may have a more affluent or stable financial existence without their spouse, they may decide to separate or divorce within the first few months of the New Year.

Are you going through a divorce right now?

Spodek Law Group can assist you if you need legal representation to defend your rights and interests during a divorce. There are a lot of firms and lawyers who can help, but we stand out among our peers as knowledgeable and committed legal professionals who care about our clients.

For clients who entrust Spodek Law Group with their divorce, we offer a collaborative approach with customized care and transparent communication. If you’re worried about child custody, child support, property division, spousal support, or another divorce-related issue in January, we can assist!

When you contact us for help, you will receive a free consultation. Contact us today by filling out an online contact form or calling our office.