If so, you aren’t alone. Many people here in Houston and elsewhere are doing the same thing. The troubles in your marriage could have started years or months ago. Perhaps, the number of disagreements you and your spouse had slowly increased over time to a point where you just couldn’t go through it anymore. That may be the first time you mentioned or thought about divorce.
Unfortunately, you may have started seriously thinking about divorce shortly before the holiday season began. You and your spouse agreed not to have your divorce associated with the holidays. Now, with the start of a new year, a subject you put on the back burner is turning into a plan of action.
Are you thinking what others are thinking?
Research shows that divorce filings peak in March and August of each year. Even so, January continues to be the “divorce month” — unofficially, of course. While every couple has its own reasons for ending their marriage, the reasons for wanting to file in January usually fall somewhere into one of the following categories:
- You decided to give your family one last holiday season together. You know that, after the divorce is final, the way you celebrate the holidays will change, so there is no need to “upset the apple cart” this year.
- You and your spouse may have been caught up in the joy of the season and wondered whether you could give it one more try. That may have worked for a couple of months, but once everyone had opened the presents and the decorations began to come down, reality set in and your problems remained.
- You think of the new year as a fresh start, and really, New Year’s resolutions are meant to end your year happier than the last. It only makes sense that you would think no longer being in an unhappy marriage would achieve that goal as well, and the sooner you start the process, the better.
If your mind is made up, you may want to start planning for your filing as soon as possible. Gather relevant documentation, gain an understanding of your current and future financial needs, and consult with an attorney. The more you prepare now, the greater the chances are that you will end up satisfied with your divorce settlement.
