Do you find yourself overwhelmed by the holidays? Are you experiencing stress over money or other financial matters during this time of year? If you are struggling during this season, you are not alone. In fact, the holiday season is actually a common time for many people to decide they want to move forward with divorce.
This is a time of year full of joy and excitement for many in Washington, but it is often the final straw for people who find themselves in struggling relationships. If you are thinking about moving forward with divorce after the holidays are over, now is a good time to start thinking about how you can protect your interests and lay the foundation for a strong future.
Time and money are common causes of divorce
It may not surprise you to learn that divorce filings often spike after the end of the year. Many people want to get through the holidays before taking this step, and others may not know this is what they want to do until the stress of the season brings certain issues to light. Regardless, many people find that the main source of their decision to divorce relates to either time or money. Here’s how the season may exacerbate those two problems:
- Holidays are expensive. Travel is expensive, and you need to buy presents. You may also have to feed more people than normal. This can cause disagreements and reveal fundamental problems in the foundation of a marriage.
- Holidays require a couple to decide how and when they are spending time with family. This is especially difficult when there is strain between a spouse and extended family. Disagreements between spouses over this may be the proverbial final straw that breaks the camel’s back.
Stress, money concerns and an inability to decide how to spend the holidays may be the deciding factor in whether a person wants to move forward with a divorce. This can be a difficult time of year, especially when you know a divorce is in the future, but there are things you can do to maintain control over what’s ahead.
Preparing well
If you are thinking about ending your marriage, now is the time to start preparing for that process. There are documents to gather, assets to account for and financial matters to prepare. Doing these things now can help you move forward with the divorce process with confidence whenever you are ready.