December may be all about family togetherness – but January is often about divorce and splitting up. There’s a surge in new divorce filings at the start of every new year, and the odds are high that these are not triggered by sudden events.
In other words, people are purposefully putting off a divorce they know is coming until after the holiday season is over. Why?
Preserving family harmony
Parents in particular may want to wait until January to file because they don’t want their kids to always associate the holidays with their parent’s divorce. Even couples who don’t have kids may choose to wait, however, because they don’t want to field a lot of awkward questions during family gatherings when they show up without their spouse.
Reassessing goals for the new year
There’s a bit of “new year, new start” mindset that takes over in January. When people are making their new year’s resolutions, they often take decisive action in areas where they feel unfulfilled and unhappy. Basically, the new year is seen as a chance to reclaim control of a disordered life and pursue happiness. That may mean leaving behind a toxic or unhappy relationship.
Practical considerations
Sometimes it’s just cheaper to stay married a little longer. By remaining married until January, couples can take advantage of the option to file their taxes together, reducing their joint tax liabilities. Plus, some couples are waiting on year-end bonuses to finance their divorce, including things like setting up separate households.
If you’re putting off a divorce until January, you don’t need to sit around doing nothing. A legal consultation may help you get ready for the future.