Should I Wait Until After the Holidays to File for Divorce?

 Posted on December 10, 2024 in Divorce

There is a massive cultural emphasis on family togetherness during the winter holidays. A large number of holiday movies feature people’s desperate attempts to get back to their families in time for a major holiday, or families reconciling just in time to spend the holidays together. In real life, the holidays do not magically fix broken marriages. If you know that yours is coming to an end, you are faced with a decision - do you file for divorce now, or wait until the holidays are over? Whether you ultimately decide to divorce now or wait, it is best to involve an experienced and aggressive Rock County, WI divorce lawyer as soon as you have determined that you want to end your marriage.

Reasons to File Before the Holidays 

You may want to file now, before the holidays, if: 

• You do not want to spend the holidays with your spouse - If you are dreading the thought of another holiday spent with your spouse, you may be much happier leaving now and spending the holidays with your own loved ones. This may be easier if you do not have young children together.
• Your relationship is unsafe - If your spouse has been violent in the past, you need to know that domestic violence tends to escalate around the holidays. It is generally safer to leave now if you can. 
• You are fighting a lot - If you and your spouse are constantly fighting, it may be best to part ways now so you can both have a better holiday season. Even young children who might be upset about the divorce may do better if they do not have to watch their parents fight on a major holiday. 

Reasons to File After the Holidays

You may want to wait to file and announce your divorce after the holidays if: 

• You have young children and a civil relationship - It is understandable that parents of young children may not want to announce their divorce right before the winter holidays. If you and your spouse are amicable, you may prefer to wait until the holiday season is over. 
• Money is tight during the holidays - Celebrating major holidays can be expensive. If you are stretched thin during the holidays, you may be better off waiting until you are back on track financially to try to establish separate households. 
• You have concrete plans - If you promised your children a trip to the ski lodge - and already bought your plane tickets and made reservations - or you are hosting a dozen family members, it may be more practical to wait until after the holidays to start your divorce. 

You should also be aware that courts tend to move slowly during the month of December. Even if you file now, it is likely that not much will happen in your case until after the holidays.

Contact a Madison, WI Divorce Lawyer 

John T. Fields & Associates, LLC is here to help you start the divorce process as soon as you are ready. Experienced Rock County, WI divorce attorney John T. Fields will work to make sure your divorce is as easy on you as possible. Contact us at 608-729-3590 for a confidential consultation.