Is it Better to Divorce Before or After the Holidays?

Divorce is difficult no matter when it occurs. If you are thinking of ending the marriage, is it better to divorce before or after the holidays? There is no such thing as a “perfect time” to divorce. You must determine what is best for you, your family, and your circumstance.

Is it Better to Divorce Before or After the Holidays?

Things to consider:

• Stress Level: The holidays may be challenging regardless of your romantic situation. Will taking action enable you to stop acting and lessen holiday fighting, or will requesting a divorce lead to more conflict? What will your partner say if you mention wanting a divorce?
• Children: Parents may be concerned their children will associate the holidays with the end of their marriage. On the other hand, if the holidays are sure to bring stress, negativity, or fighting it may be better to start the divorce prior to the holidays.
• Financial Cost: Increased costs around the holidays, how are you doing financially? Have you considered the financial implications of divorce? Do you have a budget for divorce? Have you considered options to keep the cost down?
• Maintain Privacy: If you decide to divorce, it will almost certainly become the topic of conversation at social gatherings. Moving forward, on the other hand, can provide a sense of relief, and you may receive additional support from others during the holidays. It’s important to be mindful of who you share information with, because people will share their opinion which is skewed to their perspective.
• Tax filing: The marital status as of December 31 of each year determines your filing status for that entire year.
• Timing: The state you reside in and the degree of animosity between the couple affect how long a divorce takes. Uncontested divorce is the quickest choice if a couple can come to an agreement on all crucial points, and it can be finalized in as little as 4-6 weeks. A contentious divorce, which happens when the spouses are unable to come to an agreement on divorce-related matters, is the most challenging sort of divorce. The duration of a contentious divorce might range from six months to two years.

Many couples postpone starting their divorce until after the holidays. Divorce professionals have dubbed January “divorce month” due to the increase in inquiries. Meeting with divorce professionals before the holidays could be beneficial if you are certain that you want to end your relationship.

Regardless of when you divorce, it is wise to create a strategy;

• prepare for the conversion with your spouse
• develop effective communication to be clear, concise and kind
• be prepared for a reaction
• gather the necessary financial documents
• devise a plan to move forward when you feel the time is right
• Manage your emotions and become your best self
• know your pain points
• learn how to minimize conflict
• avoid the biggest mistakes in divorce
• stop the spinning, frustration, and fear of the unknown

That’s where I come in: I’ll share tools and techniques to assist you in developing a plan to save money, minimize conflict, improve communication, harness your power, and lay the groundwork for a better future for yourself, your children, as well as future co-parenting.

Take advantage of the FREE 30 minute discovery session with The Bridging Coach to ask questions and get help. Schedule a time that works for you: https://calendly.com/thebridgingcoach/30min

Photo by: Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash

Bridget Leschinsky is a CDC Certified Divorce Coach®