Labor Day weekend ended too quickly, and the kids are returning to school. For many Florida families who trudged to the beach or the mountains for a last hurrah at summer’s end, this festive celebration may be their last as a family unit. Instead of packing for next summer’s vacation, they may find themselves packing for property division and divorce.
At least, this is the conclusion of a university study published last year that focused on the seasonal patterns of divorce. Apparently, in the months following Christmas and summer holidays, divorces spike. Researchers believe those family gatherings carry such high expectations that couples often come out of them with feelings of dissatisfaction and resentment. If those emotions are merely enhancements of an already stirring discontent in the marriage, a stressful or disappointing vacation may push one or both spouses to take steps to leave.
While divorce rates typically spike in August, some see more filings in the months following as spouses spend time organizing their finances and building the confidence to take the first steps. Some spouses may even wait until after the winter holidays and file for divorce as part of their resolution to start the new year fresh. Some research shows divorce rates between 40 and 50 percent for first marriages and increasingly higher for subsequent marriages.
Although some Florida couples have risk factors such as marrying young or marrying because of an unplanned pregnancy, divorce is a possibility for any couple. If someone is considering divorce for the first time, facing the stress of child custody decisions, property division and other settlement issues can be overwhelming. Having the assistance and guidance of an attorney throughout the process can bring some peace of mind during a difficult time.
Source: parentherald.com/, “Couples Are More Likely To Divorce After Going On Family Vacations“, Olivia Reese, Accessed on Sept. 12, 2017