January is informally known as Divorce Month because it’s typically when more couples file divorce than any other time of year. The reasons for this are plentiful, but there’s one that stands out – many of these divorces are filed by parents who want to keep things familiar for the children through the holiday.
The stress of the holidays usually doesn’t help either. Both parties might feel as though they need to re-evaluate their life decisions. This might manifest into a New Year’s resolution for one or both parties. Once the new year is here, they’re ready to move forward with ending the marriage. This brings them to the courthouse to file in January.
Are there any other benefits to filing in January?
It’s possible that filing for divorce in January may make filing taxes a bit easier. You’ll have to get any tax disputes remedied quickly, but it will likely be beneficial to start the new tax year off with the relationship status you’ll have at the next filing.
Some people don’t take the step of meeting with an attorney until January. They then file in the next couple of months, so some courts see the increase in filing in March. This lag is likely due to trying to gather what’s needed for the divorce. You’ll need copies of legal and financial documents, so that’s time to collect those.
If you’re ready to end your marriage, discuss your case with your attorney. This is your chance to find out exactly how the filing will impact you in a variety of ways. It may behoove you to discuss the matter with your accountant too.
