January is a time for new beginnings, fresh starts, and New Year’s resolutions. It’s also a time when many marriages come to an end.
January, also known as “Divorce Month,” tends to see an increase in divorce filings and inquiries. This is because once the festive season is over, many people seek change. The first place they look is at their marriage. With the added stress that COVID-19 has put on already-strained relationships, it is very likely that divorce filings and inquiries will skyrocket this month.
Why People Divorce During Divorce Month
The Holidays
Many people do not want to spring divorce on their families during the holidays, particularly if they have children. Many couples stay together during the festive season to allow their family to enjoy one last holiday season together.
Some families may have even already decided to divorce before the holidays but chose to wait until January to start the process. This is why the first Monday in January is considered “Divorce Day” – a day in which family lawyers tend to see a sharp increase in divorce inquiries.
A New Start
The New Year signals a fresh start – a time for change and a new beginning. In some cases, this could mean the ending of a marriage.
Some people try to use the festive season to rebuild their relationship. When the holidays are finished and they are still facing the same marital issues, it may be a sign to end the marriage altogether. Many people also may have made it their New Year’s resolution to file for divorce.
Finances
The holidays can put quite a bit of financial stress on a couple. Couples experiencing issues with their finances before the holidays may find themselves facing even more financial hardship as the New Year approaches.
This coupled with the financial burden already placed on couples due to COVID (loss of jobs, loss of business, etc.), may also push couples in the direction of divorce.
How COVID-19 Will Affect Divorce Rates During Divorce Month
Throughout 2020, COVID-19 wreaked havoc on the economy, peoples’ health, and relationships. In fact, divorce rates rose throughout the year as a result of the various drastic lifestyle changes and stress the pandemic put on families and marriages.
As spouses began to adjust to these lifestyle changes, many of them may have started experiencing conflict in self-isolation, which likely brought underlying problems to the surface. It is likely that divorce rates this month will continue to rise as COVID continues to have an impact on families and relationships around the world.
Traffic to DivorceMag.com is At a Record High
Last fall, we reported that traffic to our website was at an all-time high as divorce rates soared due to COVID-19. In fact, traffic to DivorceMag.com has been steadily rising since April and has not stopped since.
Right after the holidays, our website saw a surge in traffic, and on January 2nd and 3rd alone, our website received record-high traffic. In 2020, our traffic increased by 128% compared to 2019. A Majority of this increase occurred between May and December 31st. This spike in traffic is likely due to unhappy couples who are now considering divorce and researching the divorce process online while weighing out their options.
With website traffic at DivorceMag.com continuing to rise, we predict that as the pandemic continues to chip away at marriages on the brink of collapse, divorce inquiries, filings, and rates will continue to rise as the month goes on.
Child-Centered Divorce Month
The burden COVID has placed on families also affects children. Children of divorce often face emotional and mental hardships that are difficult to overcome, which is why it is important for parents to handle their divorce in ways that are in the best interest of their children. January is Child-Centered Divorce Month, which was created to help parents focus on their children during divorce. For tips, resources, and information on parenting during divorce, click here.
Visit DivorceMag’s COVID-19 Coronavirus Resource Page
As a service to our readers, we offer a page with a continuously updated list of articles and resources on the COVID-19 Coronavirus and its impact on individuals and families experiencing separation or divorce. You’ll find our COVID-19 Coronavirus Resource Page here.
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