In the world of Google search, it is not surprising that “diet” searches rise with the New Year. Health resolutions kick in and people hit the gym with renewed enthusiasm. Even more interesting is the significant rise in the number of people searching “divorce” in the 10 days following Christmas. Taking a closer look at other Google searches around the same time reveal a spike in searches such as “dysfunctional family” and searches that include the word “hate” combined with a family member add on – “mom” “dad” “Husband” or “wife”. Holiday gatherings seem to prompt some reflection, sometimes culminating in a ‘call to action’.
It follows that the first month of the new year is reportedly the most popular time of year to file for divorce – in some circles it is referred to as “Divorce Month”. The Legal Services Commission claims that “the first Monday after the kids return to school” sees the most filings, while others report that the first full working week after the holidays” is the year’s biggest divorce day.
The reason for the timing seems to be attributed to unhappy spouses taking stock of their relationships as a result of year-end reflections, resulting in resolutions for change. The holidays can be a time when emotions run high, pushing unhappy feelings to a breaking point. The delay between the holidays and January filings can often be attributed to wanting to let the children enjoy the holiday festivities before making a move.
The decision to divorce can be difficult and there are many issues to consider. If you have questions regarding child custody and support, property division or maintenance in a divorce, contact the Law Offices of Schlesinger & Strauss, LLC. We have the knowledge and experience to help you through the process.
Source: New York Times, “What We’re Searching For”, by Seth Stephens-Davidowitz, December 20, 2014.
