As a general rule, January is widely regarded as “divorce month” for many Americans. In Connecticut and elsewhere, the first month of the year traditionally sees more divorce filings than any other month in the calendar year. Some experts believe there are good reasons to wait until the new year to file for a separation.
Divorcing over the holidays can introduce a variety of challenges, most notably when children are involved. Some experts believe holding off on filing for divorce until after the holiday season has passed can help to ensure children do not have negative associations with the season later on. Additionally, starting the process at the beginning of the year can help ensure it is well in the past by the time the next holiday season rolls around.
Somewhat more pragmatically, waiting until after the holidays are over ensures that any gifts or bonuses received by one or both partners are still considered marital property and will be disseminated as such. This can be particularly important when it comes to preparing for the following year’s taxes. Closing out the calendar year as a couple means it will be easier to file for the year in total and start fresh the following year as a single individual.
There is no ideal time to file for divorce, as many Connecticut residents can attest. However, thinking ahead can mean the difference between a challenging and emotionally difficult holiday season and a comparatively less complicated process come January. Ultimately, the decision is up to the individuals in question, but anything that makes the process smoother is worth considering.
Source: The Huffington Post, Three Reasons Why January May Be the Best Time to File for Divorce, Bari Zell Weinberger, Esq., Dec. 11, 2013