Divorce Heads into Busy Times

Many divorce attorneys report that January and February are their busiest months. In San Diego, California November and December 2004 had the fewest divorce filings of the year. By January 2005, the number of divorce filings had increased by ten percent. By February the numbers increased by 17 percent, with over 1,000 people filing for a San Diego divorce.

The number of divorce filings does not tell the entire story, say many divorce experts. Many divorce attorneys see a surge in the number of people seeking their services. Some will want to proceed with the divorce right away, while others will seek legal advice but wait some weeks or months before filing for divorce.

Alan Edmunds, a San Diego family law attorney in Encinitas, CA, says, “A lot of people will hire us, then hold off. They’ll say ‘Wait until my daughter’s wedding in February,’ or “My husband is going to have an operation.” These clients are fairly certain they will pursue divorce but wish to do so when it is in the best interests of all parties involved. This explains another spike in the rate of divorce filings in June. Many parents wait until their child’s summer months to file for divorce in order to make a move less traumatic on their children.

Some divorce experts believe that the increase in those seeking divorce has to do with the New Year. “Many people who are ending their relationship want to go into the new year knowing they are going to end a bad relationship and hopefully go on in life to have positive new relationships,” says Chicago attorney and author Beverly Pekala.

Many people also want to wait until after the holidays to consider separating from their spouses. Postponing the announcement of divorce until after the holidays means not having to explain to relatives what when wrong over a holiday dinner or during a gift exchange. Alan Edmunds says, “Many people know prior to the holidays that the marriage is over, but they wait for family, children, or social stigma until afterward.”

While one partner may be planning a divorce for weeks, the other partner may be floored when their spouse finally breaks the news. For people who experience the loss that can accompany divorce, there are social and support groups within the community that can really help during these troubled times.

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