New Year Brings New Divorce Filings

 Posted on January 26, 2013 in Divorce

While the reasons for seeking a divorce are many and vary widely from one couple to the next, many professionals agree that there tends to be a trend of increased initial divorce filings in the month of January. Whether people have taken the time over the holidays to reflect on their marital situation as opposed to their professional lives, or whether they stayed together through the holidays one last time for their children, many people opt to file the initial divorce paperwork at the beginning of the year, even if they have taken steps in prior months to prepare for an eventual divorce.

Although many of the reasons that a couple chooses to file for divorce are not new, experts agree that the advent of technology and social media definitely contribute to the demise of some marriages. Facebook makes it all too easy to reconnect with an old girlfriend, and immediate access to vices such as excessive online shopping, online gambling, and pornography can lead to divorce very quickly.

Nonetheless, the actual divorce process, even if initiated at the beginning of the year, can actually be a fairly lengthy process, especially if the divorce involves disputes over children, complex financial matters, and significant property issues. Not only must people go through the legal aspects of a divorce, but they must work through the emotional and economic aspects of the divorce process, as well. These factors can result in time-consuming, emotionally draining proceedings, particularly if the couple is not in agreement about wanting the divorce in the first place.

For these reasons, some experts recommend taking steps to resolve a divorce long before any divorce paperwork is ever filed. First, determine whether a divorce is really what you want or need. Marriage counseling can be helpful in making this decision. Additionally, a person should gather as much detailed information about family finances, including assets, debts, and income, prior to even considering divorce. Drawing up a post-divorce budget will tell you what type of assets and income you will need to survive financially following your divorce. Of course, you should spend some time thinking about custodial arrangements for your children, and how and if you can work with your soon-to-be-ex-spouse to make those arrangements happen.

Many of these objectives are best achieved with the assistance of a knowledgeable DuPage County divorce attorney who can guide you through both the pre-planning stages of your divorce and the actual legal proceedings.