If the new year suddenly has you itching to get divorced, you’re not the only one. Divorce rates take a big jump in January, according to a recent University of Washington study. So, what is it that has everyone thinking about divorce? There are several factors that may be reasons people choose to end things in January.
Here are a few:
Holiday Magic
The holidays can sometimes bring out the best in people. If you are caught up in the joy of the season, it’s easy to become distracted and not focused on the problems in your marriage. Once the holidays are over and the tree comes down, people tend to settle back into everyday life. Reality sets in, the holiday magic is gone, and they find themselves once again unhappy in their marriage.
Seasonal Stress
While the holiday season can be magical for some, it definitely isn’t magical for everyone. In fact, the additional stress and time together for the holidays can be the final straw for some couples. Whether it’s the stress of visiting family, traveling, or the financial strain that often comes with the holidays, it can magnify problems that have been lurking in a marriage.
Happy New Year
For many people, if they have been considering divorce, January just makes sense. It’s a month centered around change and setting new goals. If it’s something you’ve been putting off, why not take the plunge in January? Add it to your resolution list along with losing 20 pounds and reading The Hobbit.
For the Kids
Many people avoid starting the divorce process in November or December for the sake of their children. With the holidays being centered around family, it can be a difficult time to break the news to your children. You may feel like sharing one last Thanksgiving or Christmas together before filing, which isn’t uncommon.
If you feel January is time for you to file for divorce, you’re not alone. At Burton Attorneys at Law, we have the knowledge and experience to help you with your family law case. In fact, family law is all we do. Our sensitive and compassionate staff will guide you through the process and help ease your burden. Contact us today to schedule an appointment to learn more about divorce.
Michael B. Lundberg is a native of Logan, Utah. While in law school, Mike served as the Executive Articles Editor of the Journal of Law and Family Studies and was published in that Journal, as well as the Utah Law Review. During his third year, he also found time to serve as President of the James E. Faust Chapter of the J. Reuben Clark Law Society.
Mike has worked in a wide variety of areas in the legal field. During law school he worked as an extern with the First District Court in Logan, and later as an extern with the Utah Court of Appeals in the chambers of Judge Carolyn McHugh. After graduation, he was awarded a Dean’s Fellowship to work with Christensen & Jensen, PC in Salt Lake City. He then spent 18 months working as a law clerk for the City Attorney in Park City. He joined Burton Law Firm after operating as a sole practitioner for two years. During this time, he also served on the board of the Utah Young Lawyers Division of the Utah State Bar.
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