Is January the time to consider a divorce?
Divorces in January tend to rise for various reasons. One reason is that couples often delay finalizing their divorce in December. They wish to keep life pleasant over the holidays. The December holidays can be busy times with family get-togethers, office parties, shopping, decorations and religious observances. When people are in the joy of the season, making divorce final might seem out of place. Likewise, many couples will wait to voice the fact they are considering divorce until the holidays are over.
By comparison, January ushers in the new year, which is also a time for change. New Year’s resolutions come to mind, and people look for a new beginnings in various aspects of their lives.
Divorce is seasonal
A New York Times article points out that divorce is seasonal. While there often is a surge of divorces in January, there are also increases in March and September.
In January, married individuals also delve into research, consulting with an attorney or tax accountant to gather information about divorce. They look at options and consequences, even if they are only weighing the pros and cons of divorce and are not ready to file.
In addition, some states have a waiting period after filing for divorce. In Texas the minimum waiting period is 60 days. Also, at least one of the spouses must have been a Texas resident for 6 months consecutively in order to file for divorce in Texas.
Do you have questions about factors relating to divorce?
There are a number of factors to consider when filing for divorce, including child custody and support, property division and tax consequences, to name a few.
If you need legal advice and would like to discuss divorce, we can help.
The Law Office of Lindsey J. Wilson provides legal representation for clients in cases involving family law, custody and support, divorce, property division and modifications and enforcement.