Why is January Known as Divorce Month?

You may have heard it said that January is the busiest month of the year for family law attorneys. Nicknamed “divorce month” in legal circles, divorce filings jump by as much as one-third during the month of January and continue to be higher than normal through the month of March. What is the reason for this trend? There are many possible factors.

Annual Divorce Trends

One of the reasons why divorces tend to spike at the beginning of the year is because many unhappy couples are reluctant to break up their families during the holidays. They may feel as though they would like to give their children one more holiday with their family intact and then file for divorce after the first day of the New Year. Another reason is that court time is in short supply in December. A court date can be difficult to arrange, and it doesn’t make sense to file for divorce and not be able to get into court. Or, the reason may perhaps be that people feel that the New Year is the best time to get a fresh start. Holding off until January will also not interfere with tax filings for the previous year – another good reason to wait. Whatever the reason, divorce lawyers often receive several phone calls during the first few months of the year.

Interestingly, December, January, and February are also the busiest months for online dating. According to data from the popular Match.com, there is a nearly 40 percent increase in signups during these months. Dating app Zoosk also reports a 26 percent spike in registrations in the two weeks after Christmas.

Compassionate Legal Counsel

Divorce is a big decision. If you are considering dissolution of marriage in Colorado, please call Modern Family Law today to speak with a family law attorney. We are available to assist with all elements of divorce and family law, including separation agreements, child custody and support, property division, visitation schedules, and much more. We also offer mediation services to help couples reach an agreement on the terms of their divorce in as cooperative and timely a manner as possible. Learn more about our cost-effective divorce and family law services. Initial consultations are provided free of charge!