The start of a new year is a time when we see a huge spike in divorce filings. At the beginning of the year, people start on projects that they put off during the previous year — and divorce is something that people tend to put off until the last possible moment.
One divorce lawyer wrote that his office sees a spike in divorces in January after the affects of an unhappy holiday season. Then they see another spike in March, in the wake of a less-than-love-filled Valentine’s Day. Another reason for this new year spike in divorces could be financial pressures triggered by overspending during the holidays.
Before you actually pull the trigger on your divorce, though, you should have a deep, thoughtful and compassionate talk with your spouse. Discuss what the effects will be on your children, on both of your lifestyles and on your finances. This kind of talk is essential to make sure that both of you are on the same page and agree that divorce is the best possible solution. When the decision is mutual and made in a peaceful and compassionate way, the divorce usually a lot easier on everyone.
Also, consider seeing a therapist. Even if you are 75 percent certain that you want a divorce — and it’s pretty rare that couples are more than 75 percent sure — it is wise to visit with a couples’ therapist. Yes, even if you have already put your new divorce attorney in your address book, consider meeting with a therapist.
A couples’ therapist can be helpful with making your divorce process easier by helping you reach accord and mutual understanding about your relationship. The therapist can even help you explore whether your marriage is salvageable. In addition to a therapist, a skilled divorce attorney can also assist in making your divorce proceedings smoother and less stressful.
Source: New York Daily News, “The start of the year is peak season for divorce filings,” David Mejias, Feb. 12, 2016