Deciding to divorce is a huge decision. You may have thought long and hard about if divorce is the right choice for you and struggled with breaking the news to your spouse.
Once you have decided that you are going to file, your next step is deciding when to file. When it comes to the best time to file for divorce, there is no exact answer, although January is unofficially named “divorce month.”
Waiting until after the holidays
There are various reasons people may want to file for divorce in January. The idea of asking for a divorce over the holiday season is unappealing to most people, especially if there are children involved.
If you have children with your spouse, you may not want your children to have bad memories during the holiday season in the coming years.
Additionally, the holiday season provides most of us with a break from our usual routines and allows us the ability to enjoy ourselves and reconnect with family and friends.
This can be a welcome distraction from the problems in your marriage. However, when January comes, you are back to your regular daily life and could realize that your marriage problems are still there. This can prompt you to file.
A new year means a fresh start
In addition to marking the end of the holiday season, January signifies the start of a new year. This often gives people motivation to make a fresh start or move forward with goals they have neglected or abandoned.
Filing for divorce and ending a marriage that is no longer working can be a positive step toward moving into a brighter future.
Tax considerations
Finally, there are practical reasons people file for divorce in January, such as taxes. Filing in January allows you to avoid filing a joint tax return.
There is no perfect time to file for divorce, and the best time depends on your specific situation. January may work for you, but it may not. Talking with a professional about your situation and goals can be beneficial.