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Memories of summers when you were growing up may bring images of beach time, backyard barbecues, family vacations, and freedom. You rarely see all of the effort that was put into these activities until you are a grown-up with a family of your own. The financial pressures of paying for a vacation, the extended time spent in close quarters with your spouse and family, and juggling the logistics of everything in between can be stressful, to say the least. If you are not all in on your marriage, it can also act as a catalyst pushing you closer and closer to taking steps to divorce.
Why Are There So Many Summer Divorces?
In 2016, a study was presented at the American Sociological Association that revealed a pattern of divorce rates increasing in August and March. The research to support this was conducted by sociologists at the University of Washington. Researchers reviewed divorce filings in Washington state over 14 years between 2001 and 2015. There was a consistent increase in divorces in August and the filings usually continued to increase up to when kids go back to school in September.
The authors of this 2016 study speculated about what could cause these kinds of patterns, and they came up with several possibilities. The divorce filings increased around school holidays, vacation times, and Valentine’s Day. Vacations and holidays are often used as a benchmark of happiness for people, especially those that may be discontent in their marriages. They may view a holiday or trip as one more chance to see if things can go right. When expectations are not met, they may be ready to finally take the plunge into seeking a divorce. The high expectations for these times all too often set people up for a hard fall.
Combined heightened expectations with the increased stress of the holidays and planning a vacation and it may no longer come as a surprise that these are times when divorce rates increase. If you and your spouse are experiencing problems, spending more time together on a family trip is almost certain to exacerbate things in a nonproductive way. This is one reason why the study may reveal the uptick in divorce rates. People start to consider divorce and then, by the end of summer, they have made a decision.
If you are considering a divorce, there are several things you will want to do to protect yourself, including:
- Taking inventory of all bank accounts (including how many and how much is in each)
- Taking inventory of credit cards (including how many and the balance on each)
- Taking inventory of stocks and investment accounts
- Collecting records about all of the above
- Reviewing property records and ascertaining who is on the title
- Bringing together a support system that includes counselors, family, loved ones, and trusted advisors to help you down the road ahead
New York Divorce Attorneys
No matter what time of year it may be, you will want a trusted attorney by your side throughout the divorce process. CDH Law will join your support system as trusted legal counsel always advocating for your best interest. Contact us today.