Why Do So Many People File For Divorce In January?
Family law attorneys in Tampa often refer to the month of January as “divorce month” or “the beginning of divorce season.” Seeing as how divorce is not the best way to ring in the new year, it is natural to wonder why the beginning of the year is such a popular time to end a marriage. In January, divorce filings are sometimes one-third higher than they are at any other time in the year. Below, our Tampa family law attorney explains why so many people wait until the first month or two of the year to file, and the benefits it brings.
Preserving the Holidays
For couples, particularly those with children, they often want to preserve the holiday season. Divorce is a large source of stress and tension for the entire family and it is not uncommon for unhappy couples to set their differences aside so they can enjoy the season and make it enjoyable and festive, particularly for the kids.
Additionally, everything typically takes longer during the holidays, and that is no different when referring to the divorce process. Attorneys want to spend time with their families as well, and courts are often closed for at least several days over the holiday season. People sometimes want to wait until they can move through the process more easily and quickly.
When Holidays Cause the Divorce
The holidays are often a time of joy and celebration, but that is not always the case. When a couple is already unhappy, the stress of the holidays can sometimes exacerbate their problems and shine a light on them. A couple that was only arguing more frequently in October or November may realize that one or both parties wants to get a divorce by the time January rolls around.
Tax Issues
A person’s marital status will have a significant impact on their tax obligations. When a couple is married for even just one day of any given year, they can still often file their taxes jointly as a married couple. This can ease the tax burden for both individuals, and give them the necessary time to start handling their own finances as they move forward in their new life.
Financial Issues
The date of a couple’s divorce is an important one when it comes to division of property. For example, one spouse may be entitled to a large year-end bonus and waiting until the new year may allow their partner to receive a portion of it. The recipient spouse may then agree to waive certain rights, such as alimony, so dividing the bonus works for both parties. The end of the year also often means there is increased paperwork such as pay stubs, financial statements, investment account statements, loan statements, and more. This documentation can greatly help with property division issues.
Our Divorce Lawyers in Tampa Bay Can Help You Through the Process
If you are one of the many Floridians considering divorce at this time of year, our Tampa divorce lawyer at All Family Law Group, P.A. can provide the legal advice you need. Call us today at 813-672-1900 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. Se habla Español.
Resource:
leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0061/Sections/0061.075.html
