We recently discussed how divorce rates tend to go up in January. This can linger a bit into the spring months. Many people tend to get divorced at the beginning of the year, perhaps because they have gotten through the winter holidays or just because it seems like the right time for a fresh start.
However, research also indicates that divorce rates tend to go up in August. There is a spike in the fall, before the rates decline again over the winter. This means that there is a bit of a lull over the summer months. Divorce rates tend to be lower. Why is this?
The summer schedule can be much different
For couples without children, summer months are relatively the same, and so their divorce odds may not change. But for parents, the summer schedule can be a lot different than the rest of the year. It is much more chaotic, the children are home much more often, and there may be events they have to plan around, such as a summer vacation or a road trip.
One of the biggest issues is just having the children in the house more often. This means parents tend to have less free time. They may not feel as comfortable discussing a divorce when their children are around.
But after the children go back to school in the fall, the parents have time to sit down together and decide if they want to end their relationship. This is why there is a spike in August, as couples who have been procrastinating divorce during summer vacation finally decide to take that step.
Do you believe that you and your spouse will get divorced this year? Take the time to carefully consider child custody rights, property division and all of the legal options at your disposal.