It’s almost the end of the year. And while for some couples there is the kiss when the ball drops, for many others their New Year’s resolution is to get out of their marriage. In fact, historically, there is an increase in the number of divorce filings in the beginning of the year.
When looking at why more couples decide to end their marriage right after the holidays, Alton Abramowitz, who is the president of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, claims there are a number of reasons for the increase.
According to Abramowitz, many couples actually already know they want to end their marriage. In some cases, they’ve actually known this for quite some time. However, for the sake of the holidays — especially when children are involved — the spouse who wants to file holds off to enjoy one last holiday as a couple. Of course, when spouses are able to get along and there are not arguments and bickering, there is nothing wrong with this idea.
For other spouses, the holidays may have just ended up being the icing on the cake. In these situations the marriage was already strained. But then due to a holiday event, like a spouse being embarrassingly drunk at a holiday work function or a serious let down in expectations, the marriage was pushed to the brink and beyond. After the New Year, one spouse files for divorce.
In these situations, whether the spouse is the one who is filing or the one who is being approached about the divorce, an attorney with experience handling Missouri divorces is essential in order to make sure a fair settlement is reached. Additionally, if children are involved, this attorney can help with child support and child custody decisions.
Source: The Huffington Post, “When Divorce Is A New Year’s Resolution,” Alton Abramowitz, Dec. 28, 2012
