Did you know that most divorce attorneys see a surge in business as soon as January rolls around? It’s true. January is, by far, the most popular month to call a lawyer about getting a divorce.
How much does it happen? Some family law attorneys report as much as a third of the divorces they handle all year begin in January. Statistically, filings go up 25% to 30% in January.
The reasons vary, of course, but a big one is the holidays. When your marriage isn’t working, the holiday season can be even more stressful than ever. Issues that have been simmering all year may come to a sudden boil, making it clearer than ever that you need to make a change.
Moreover, when people are already considering divorce, they often wait until after the holidays to bring it up with their spouses. No one wants to ruin the holiday season or add pressure to what is already a stressful period. It’s also a chance for the kids to have one final happy Christmas before the divorce.
The new year may also prompt people who have been hesitating to file. By filing in January, they can begin the year with the hope of a fresh start.
We understand what you’re going through. We know you take your marriage seriously. You’ve tried everything you can think of to change the situation, but it’s not working. Your marriage deserves the effort, but sometimes the differences between spouses are just too great.
You don’t have to go through this alone
Understanding your legal rights can be a big help when you are deciding whether to file for divorce. You can sit down with a lawyer and learn what to expect, how your property would be divided, how debts are handled, how child custody and parenting are decided, who would pay child support and whether to expect alimony.
You can learn whether there are special circumstances in your case that could affect you, such as when you or your spouse is a member of the military, you own a family farm or business or you have a child with special needs, for example.
You should also know that you and your spouse have to live separately for a year and a day before you can file for divorce in North Carolina.
It’s important to get the support you need, too. That could include getting in touch with a therapist, sitting down with a minister, or identifying caring people among your family and friends who can help. Finally, find a law firm that will treat you with compassion and go the extra mile to help.
