January. A time for many to reflect and set goals for the year ahead. And according to a recent article by Fox Business, a time to get divorced. The article quotes James McLaren, president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, who says that, beginning in January, the total number of divorce filings rises a full third above normal levels.
So what’s the reason? Unsurprisingly, there are a few. For some, the start of the year is the right time to make a change in their life. If they’re in an unhealthy relationship, January is the perfect time for a fresh start. For couples with children, the timing of the holidays plays a large role, as they may feel pressure to give their kids one last Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, or Christmas together as a family. Divorcing in January also gives spouses the most amount of time to complete their divorce without running into the holidays at the end of the year.
We’ve created an infographic outlining the information given by the AAML. You can read more about these statistics, as well as some of the planning that goes into a divorce, at Fox Business.