Why is January Known as Divorce Month?

Sometimes, nicknames are hard to shake. This is certainly true for January, which is often referred to as “Divorce Month.” The nickname stems from a belief that many couples decide to end their marriage at the beginning of the year, after the holidays are officially over. Many wonder, though, if more couples actually rush to initiate divorce proceedings in January. Below, our Orlando divorce attorney explains this phenomenon in greater detail.

Is January Really Divorce Month?

There has been some evidence to indicate that January has earned the nickname ‘divorce month’ for good reason. Divorce lawyers often see an increase in calls in January from spouses who are considering ending their marriage. While some are ready to start the process immediately, others are simply exploring their options.

In recent years, there have been many studies that support the fact that January may actually be divorce month, but this does not necessarily mean the start of the new year sees the most dissolution of marriage. A report out of the University of Washington in 2016 analyzed divorce filing data for the years from 2001 to 2015. During this time, divorce cases actually start to climb in January but they spike in March.

While January may be when spouses start seriously considering divorce, it is known as a process for a reason. People may start to explore their options, hire a divorce attorney, establish a support network, and form a general strategy for moving forward. As people start to do this in January, it may take until March for them to file divorce papers or for their case to be finalized.

Why Do People Wait Until January?

There are many reasons to put off divorce until the new year. Sometimes, people have already decided to end their marriage but they want to wait until the chaos and stress of the holidays is behind them. During the holidays there is a lot of family around, the kids are on school break, and there are many different celebrations throughout the month of December. Some just want to have one last happy holiday while others put on a brave face and try to power through.

In other instances, the stress of the holidays may be the last straw for the spouses. All of the increased activity and additional anxiety can put a significant strain on a marriage. When a marriage is already in trouble, a tense family gathering or an argument can be the breaking point.

Arguments over money are also a common reason for divorce and the holidays can exacerbate this stress, as well. Expensive travel arrangements and holiday spending can all put increased strain on a couple’s finances, leading to more arguments and ultimately, one or both spouses may start considering divorce.

Our Divorce Attorney in Orlando Can Advise You of Your Options 

Whether you know you want a fresh start in 2026, or you are simply starting to explore your options, if you are thinking of divorce, our Orlando divorce attorney at Anderson & Ferrin, P.A. can advise you of your options and provide the legal advice you need. Call us now at 407-412-7041 or contact us online to schedule a consultation and to learn more about how we can help.

Sources:

leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0000-0099/0044/0044.html

washington.edu/news/2016/08/21/is-divorce-seasonal-uw-research-shows-biannual-spike-in-divorce-filings/