Most family law firms experience a decrease in new divorce cases throughout November and December, and with good reason. Both emotionally and financially, the holidays are a hectic season for families. During one of the busiest times of the year, divorce and family law issues can often take a backseat to more immediate obligations.

We're here to assure you that there's nothing wrong with postponing your divorce until the new year. In fact, it may be the wisest decision you can make regarding your family. 

Divorcing During the Holiday Season -- Weigh Your Options

Let's be honest. It's not often you'll hear a family law attorney advise you to hold off on filing for any case, seeing as we profit from signing on new clients. In fact, many family law blogs do advise their readers not to wait, holidays or not. And that can be sound advice -- in some circumstances, filing a divorce with little or no delay may be the best option.

However, 26 years of family law practice have taught us that oftentimes, our clients who file for divorce during the holidays experience more stress over their case, especially if they have children. We can't say that waiting will be the best option for everyone, but we can share with you that in most cases we've represented, divorces filed in November and December experienced a significant drop in stress once the holiday season has passed. And in most of those cases, the filing could have easily been postponed to the new year without significant impact to the case results.   

Here's our suggestion: if you are thinking about filing for divorce during the holiday season, take the time to strongly weigh your options and consider all possible consequences.  

For many families, the reasons to wait far outweigh any possible benefits of an immediate divorce. Listed below are several key reasons why waiting to file for divorce may be the best option for you and your family.  

There Are Kids Involved In Your Possible Divorce

If your household includes one or more children, the consequences of divorce may seem all the more monumental to you. At any age, parents will always worry how a divorce may affect their kids. Those worries can be multiplied if you are a parent of young children or adolescents, who are often significantly impacted by a difficult divorce. 

We all want the best for our kids, and a rough divorce can easily throw a wrench in the holiday spirit or create bad childhood memories. For that reason, we always encourage our potential clients to explore their options and consider how they can make a divorce easier on their children. 

You Want to Avoid Additional Financial Strain

The holidays are a significant financial commitment for most, with plenty of events and gifts to budget for. Many families may experience some degree of financial strain, even without the additional cost of a family law case. 

Divorces cost a considerable sum of money, regardless of what legal choices you make. In most cases, what you pay is what you get. Choosing to hire less expensive legal representation may cost you in the future if you end up with a subpar divorce agreement. 

If at all possible, wait until after the holidays to file for divorce. You'll avoid juggling two enormous financial responsibilities during one of the busiest times of the year.

You Want to Wait for the Anticipated Holiday Bonus

Most of the assets you and your spouse gain for the duration of your marriage can be considered marital property, and are subject to division in a divorce. If you anticipate your spouse will gain significant assets throughout the holidays, there may be financial benefits to waiting until the new year.  

You Could Use the Additional Time to Plan

The best divorce results come from stringent financial planning and preparation, both of which are difficult to make time for during the hectic holiday season. In many cases, the decision to wait can be a blessing in disguise -- it lets you pass the holiday season without the added stress of a divorce case and allows you additional time to prepare. When you do file in the new year, you'll be able to face your divorce with complete focus. 

If you choose to file for divorce after the holidays, don't miss the golden opportunity to further plan for divorce. Take advantage of the extra time by doing some more legal research, talking to a few family law attorneys, and gathering your resources. One helpful link you may want to check out is our article on how to financially prepare for divorce. Even if you make just a few hours each week, any additional time you commit will only help your case. 

Contact Experienced Divorce and Family Law Attorneys at Dolci & Weiland

If you are planning on filing for divorce from your spouse this holiday season or in the new year, there are steps you can take to ensure your preparedness going into the divorce. For more information, check out our articles on what to bring to a divorce consultation or how to financially prepare for divorce, and stay updated with our blog for the latest in family law. 

At Dolci & Weiland, we strive to provide the strongest representation for our clients. With over 26 years of legal experience, we are prepared to fight for your best interests. Whether you are seeking immediate representation or waiting to file for divorce, our dedicated family law attorneys can listen to your case and discuss your options. To schedule a free, no-obligation consultation, call our offices at 630-261-9098.