January represents a fresh start for many people in Berks County. The turning of the calendar to a new year is a great excuse to make changes in our lives. A new year is a reminder that our time on Earth is limited. If you wait too long to do something you want, you might never get the chance.
Why start the divorce process in January?
That is one reason that January is known as the “divorce month.” The holiday season is another. The holidays can be an emotionally intense time. If your marriage has serious problems, the stress and pressure around celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year’s can magnify those issues. Also, many parents decide to get divorced but choose to wait until January to tell their spouse because they are afraid of “ruining the holidays” for the children. Thus, divorcing filings in Pennsylvania tend to go down in November and December, then shoot up in the first few months of the year.
Finally, the earlier in the year you file for divorce, the fewer income tax issues you will have with your ex. This is not the most emotional reason to file for divorce in January, but it could make sense to wait from a financial standpoint as long as it is safe for you and your kids to do so.
Good timing is only part of it
Timing can make a difference. But ultimately, the most important thing is that your divorce provides you with financial stability and a fair amount of time with your children as you start the next chapter of your life.