Why Do Divorce Filings Increase During the Beginning of the Year?

 Posted on January 08,2021 in Divorce

When the new year rolls around and everybody is done celebrating, many people often find themselves making resolutions and quitting bad habits. While some people are committed to living a healthier lifestyle or spending less time on their phones, others are looking forward to a much bigger and more significant life change. According to many divorce lawyers and news outlets, January has been dubbed, “divorce month,” because of the increase in the number of divorce cases that are initiated at the beginning of the year. There are several reasons that have been pinpointed as being possible for the spike in the number of divorce cases that are filed during the first few months of the year. These reasons may include:

• Spending one last holiday season as a family. For many couples, one of the biggest reasons they choose to stay together and wait until January to file for divorce is simply to preserve the magic of the holiday season. This is especially likely for couples who have children, as they will want to prevent any stress or disruptions from spoiling the holidays for the kids. 

• The holiday season was the final straw. On the other hand, the holiday season is a busy and stressful time in itself. The sheer chaos of the season could be a contributing factor to some couples, especially those whose marriage is already on the rocks. For these couples, the hustle and bustle of the holiday season can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

• The couple wanted to avoid tax issues. Another possible reason why couples divorce in January rather than earlier in the year prior is to avoid creating any issues or causing any surprises from happening with your taxes. If your divorce is not finalized by December 31, then the IRS considers you to be married for the entirety of that year. However, if your divorce is finalized at any point in a given year, the IRS will consider you to be unmarried for the whole year. Some couples find it beneficial to wait until after the first of the year to file their divorce case to reap the tax breaks that being married can provide.

Contact a Batavia, IL Divorce Attorney Today

When it comes to getting a divorce, going through the process is going to be difficult no matter what time of year you choose to do it. For some couples, waiting until after the holidays is their best option, but that does not mean it will be the right choice for everyone. At the Law Office of Matthew M. Williams, P.C., we understand how personal and difficult of a decision it can be to get a divorce. Our skilled Kane County divorce lawyer will examine your divorce case and help you determine what your best course of action would be. To schedule a consultation, call our office today at 630-409-8184.

Sources:

https://www.rd.com/article/january-divorce-month/

https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/2019/12/17/divorce-filings-january-uptick-marriages-ending-after-holidays/4247884002/

https://www.marketwatch.com/story/as-lawyers-brace-for-a-surge-in-divorce-cases-in-january-new-research-highlights-the-financial-benefits-of-splitting-up-2019-12-24