Why Divorce Filings Heat Up in Late Summer

People often talk about the “dog days” of summer, when many families head off on vacation and others struggle with heat and humidity at home while waiting for school to start up again. Family law attorneys can tell you that another August tradition is an increase in divorce filings. Research proves that this phenomenon exists, but why do so many married couples break up when their friends are enjoying those last precious days of beach season?

Several explanations have been offered as to why spouses who are looking to make a new start make the decision to file for divorce in August, including:

• End of the “last chance” summer — All year, people look forward to the summer, when school and work vacations give families a chance to be together. Husbands and wives who are unhappy might believe that time together away from home could renew their relationship. When things don’t magically get better, or possibly worsen because of the constant proximity to each other, spouses recognize that the marriage should end.
• School calendars — While the calendar year starts in January, the new school schedule begins in late August or early September. Spouses sometimes opt to change their living arrangements at the same time their sons and daughters are moving to new schools or classrooms. Parents of children heading off to college frequently re-evaluate their future as part of the transition to an “empty nest.”
• Holiday preparation — The end of the summer means that the holiday season is just a couple of months away and most people don’t want to start the marriage dissolution process while they’re thinking about cooking Thanksgiving dinner or buying Christmas or Hanukkah presents. For this reason, the divorce rate also rises in late January and February when the holidays have passed.

Whether you’re part of the late summer trend or looking to end your marriage at some other time of the year, the best way you can help yourself is by hiring an attorney with extensive experience successfully guiding clients through their divorce.

As the Long Island divorce leader, Bryan L. Salamone & Associates, P.C. provides exceptional legal representation to spouses who want to safeguard their rights and their well-being as they end their marriage. To speak with a knowledgeable New York attorney about your situation, please call 1.631.479.3839 or contact us online.