For years, January has been unofficially known as “divorce month” because the number of divorces filled tends to spike when compared to November and December. In fact, Google trends says that searches for the phrase, ‘I want a divorce’ rose by over 230% in the first week of January 2021.
Why So Many People File for Divorce in January?
Parents want to wait until the holidays are over.
Parents are particularly more likely to file for divorce at the beginning of the year because they don’t want to spoil the holidays by telling their children they are getting a divorce. Many people also avoid filing right before the holidays because they don’t want to have to talk about it at holiday gatherings.
Another reason why people tend to wait until January is because the holidays are an incredibly stressful time. Many people don’t want to add filling for divorce to their already long to-do list.
Tax purposes.
For many people, the choice to get divorced in January is more of a practical matter and less of an emotional one. Depending on how the couple has filed their taxes in the past and the tax breaks they’ve claimed, it might make financial sense to wait until January. Many couples also stay together until the New Year for health insurance purposes.
People want to protect their assets.
If someone knows they’re expected to get a large bonus or promotion during the first quarter of the year, they may try to file for divorce before that happens. In most states, including Hawaii, acquired property or assets is considered separate property if it’s acquired after the couple has separated or filed for divorce.
The New Year inspires people to reflect on their lives.
The New Year is a time for reflection and growth for many people. Sometimes the promise of the New Year inspires people who have been considering divorce for some time to officially file.
If you’re looking to get divorced in the New Year, schedule a complimentary consultation with our Honolulu family law attorneys. Call 808-524-4854 or complete our simple contact form.