Why August is the best month for divorce?

Think of August as Black Friday for divorce filings. It’s one of the best months to say “I don’t.”

According to a study conducted at the University of Washington, divorce rates consistently peak at the end of summer, specifically in August. The couples finally realized that their family vacation was the last bit of togetherness they could afford. But there’s a lot that comes with making the decision to take a break:

The kids are gone. Summertime is often very busy for families with no set schedule, lots of gatherings and very little alone time. Once the children are back in school and/or have left college, parents have more free and private time to not only think about their future, but also to contact an attorney and begin to work out the many steps needed to divorce. The beginning of a new school year often makes you want to start a new chapter in life.

All this teamwork didn’t work out. Many people use summer vacation as a “last-ditch” attempt to see if they can make their marriage work or go on some family vacations only to find that all that extra time together has brought their marital troubles to light. As time together increases, the little (or big) things that bother a couple get magnified. Couples may also have held back from getting divorced during the summer to avoid spoiling any big family trips or summer fun that their children were looking forward to.

Summer social. Infidelity is one of the leading causes of divorce and summer can bring out the wandering eye. Since one spouse may realize that they are not satisfied with their relationship, they may also look for someone else to fulfill their needs. A summer filled with pools, beaches, and time outdoors feeling “more free” can lead someone to make a choice that ultimately leads to divorce.

Looking ahead, you may see a sharp rise in divorces in Maryland in October.

That’s because on October 1 of this year, Maryland will become one of 40 states to allow divorce based on “irreconcilable differences.”

Under the new law, the process for obtaining a divorce in Maryland will be streamlined, making it easier and faster for individuals in unhappy marriages to file for divorce.

This law allows couples to file for divorce on the basis of irreconcilable differences or to have a six-month separation period, in which the spouses live apart and apart for six months without interruption before filing for divorce.

The legislation aims to reduce the waiting time, expense, and aggravation associated with a fault-tolerant divorce.

So, if you are considering divorce, here are some things to consider:

Gets your FEnas V srder. Be aware of your financial documents such as tax returns, bank statements, title deeds, and any other assets and debts. This will help you during the divorce proceedings, but also make sure you understand your financial needs post-divorce, so that you are ready for change.

DrDo not wait for the file. Many couples who are ready to file for divorce think they have to wait a while before they can begin the process. This is a common misconception. Although resolving and concluding a divorce may take some time, couples may waste valuable time if they wait unnecessarily to begin working with an attorney to resolve their divorce issues.

Consider the children. If you have children, think about how this change will affect them and try to reduce stress by trying to maintain as much stability in their schedules as possible, aim for the parents’ home to be close to home, and reach out to mental health professionals. For support if you or your children need additional resources to deal with a stressful situation.

look in asubstitute. Although you will eventually need to obtain a court order to finalize your divorce, in most cases it is not necessary for a judge to decide your custody and divorce issues. Couples can choose to hire attorneys who can help them negotiate a customary settlement agreement or attend mediation, both of which can be friendlier ways to end a marriage.

Requests toegal aservice Hearly. Consult an experienced family law attorney before making any decisions to understand your rights and responsibilities and the divorce process in your jurisdiction. An attorney can provide guidance, represent your interests, and help you understand the future implications of any decisions you make.

Monica Garcia-Harms heads the family law department at Stein Sperling Bennett De Jong Driscoll PC. She can be contacted via e-mail at (email protected).

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