The timing of divorce is generally a highly personal decision made by one or both spouses in a marriage. There are, however, trends that lead to more divorce filings in some months than others.
According to one study from the University of Washington (UW), we’re heading into one of the months in which divorce filings “consistently peaked.” That’s August.
What is it about August?
The results of the 15-year study of couples throughout Washington, published in 2016, hypothesized that divorce filings spiked in August because it was “following the family vacation and before the kids start school.” Couples who have children may want to give their kids one last family vacation before they begin the process of divorce.
Some couples may hope that a summer getaway helps repair some of their issues and brings them closer. Either way, more togetherness often makes things worse rather than better for an unhappy or embattled couple.
Does “domestic ritual” play a role?
The study’s author noted that August and March (the other month the study found that filings spiked) are times in the “domestic ritual” calendar that follow winter and summer breaks. She said, “They represent periods in the year when there’s the anticipation or the opportunity for a new beginning, a new start, something different, a transition into a new period of life. It’s like an optimism cycle, in a sense.” When things don’t improve as hoped, spouses may decide to take that step to ending their marriage.
As noted, when to file for divorce is a highly personal decision. If your spouse does it without consulting you, that decision is made for you. Either way, it’s crucial to start preparing as soon as you know or suspect that divorce is on the horizon. Don’t assume that because Washington is a community property state, you have no say in how assets and debts are divided. Getting legal guidance to protect your rights and interests is an important first step.
