Why divorce rates climb as the new year dawns

For many California couples, January may be a time for new beginnings and new divorces. For a number of reasons, divorce attorneys and even Google searches back up the claim that the new year brings with it an increased number of divorce filings across the country. Even as overall divorce rates are on the decline, with the rates of dissolution in 2017 being 8% lower than they were one decade prior, every year, January shows an increased number of newly initiated proceedings. There are a number of reasons why people choose to divorce along with the turn of the year.

Parents often want to end the winter holiday season with their children before initiating a divorce. Even if both parents are already convinced that their marriage is over, they may want their children to enjoy one final holiday season without shared custody schedules and parenting time negotiations. They may be very concerned about how divorce will affect their children and not want holiday memories to be spoiled by learning about their parents’ plans to separate. However, divorcing parents do not have to end their relationship with high levels of conflict; it is possible to negotiate an amicable co-parenting relationship and agreeable child custody schedule.

Others may file for divorce in January because the turn of the year prompts them to make changes that they want to see in their lives, much like new year’s resolutions. The holiday season, with all of its family events and emotional moments, may also make clear that a relationship has come to an end.

Divorce is a deeply emotional change in many cases, but it is also a practical, legal and financial arrangement. A family law attorney may help a spouse to advocate for a settlement on a range of issues, including child custody, spousal support and property division.