January Dubbed “Divorce Month”

 Posted on January 09, 2018 in Divorce

The period immediately following the excitement of Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukah, and New Year’s Day is often a time when many people file for divorce. In fact, some have called January “divorce month” because so many couples choose to file for divorce during near the beginning of each new year.

The first Monday of the year after the holiday season typically sees a rise in couples taking legal action regarding their marriage. There are a few reasons why this is the case. Some couples with children wait until after the holidays because they do not want to ruin the children’s enjoyment with news of the divorce. Other couples avoid announcing their divorce until after they have attended the family gatherings and work parties that usually come with the holidays.

Money Issues Contribute to Marital Problems

Surveys show that one of the major factors that causes marital breakdown is financial stress, and the holiday season is often filled with a variety of extra expenses. According to one recent study, almost 40 percent of married people named financial pressures as the biggest challenge their marriage faced. Over 20 percent of respondents reported that most of the arguments they have with their spouse are about money. Married couples who are already strained may further stressed by the costs that the holidays can bring, such as travel, gifts, and hosting family get-togethers. Oftentimes, the holiday season is the “straw that breaks the camel’s back” when it comes to marriages.

When married couples have significantly different attitudes or values regarding money, disputes can arise. According to a survey, 34 percent of spouses claim to be the frugal partner and that their partner spends the most money. Only 13 percent claimed that they are the spouse who spends more money and that their partner is more frugal. This disparity hints at the fact that many spouses may be unaware of what their actual financial situation is. Sometimes the lack of knowledge about the family financial condition is caused by deceit. In fact, one out of every five people admit that they have spent up to $500 without telling their partner. Even more shockingly, about 6 percent of people in a relationship admit to hiding bank accounts or credit cards from their partner.

Considering Divorce?

If you and your spouse are considering or planning to get divorced, you need an attorney who can help you through the divorce process. Contact an experienced Naperville divorce attorney to get the guidance you need. Call 630-352-2240 for a confidential consultation at Pesce Law Group, P.C. today.

Sources:

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-42598969

https://www.cnbc.com/2015/02/04/money-is-the-leading-cause-of-stress-in-relationships.html