Why the Holidays Can Be a Catalyst for Divorce

Although the holidays can be a time of joy for a family, they can also lead to stress. There is a reason why the divorce rate spikes at the conclusion of the holiday season. Married couples may already be on the edge entering this period, and any disagreements during the holiday season can inflame the situation. Here are some reasons why more couples tend to get divorced after the holidays.

Stress

In general, a married couple faces many stressors over the holiday season. Not only must they shop for gifts, but they must also make arrangements for family celebrations. These require harmony among the spouses, but they may not be on the same page. The couple may disagree over their holiday plans and how to execute them, leading to even more arguments.

Unrealistic Expectations

If a married couple is already in a difficult situation, one or both of them may look to the holiday season as a catalyst to repair the marriage. However, it may be hard to set things on the right path of marriage in a compressed amount of time, especially when there are any arrangements and things that can potentially cause stress. At the conclusion of the holiday season, a couple may realize that the holiday season did not live up to their expectations, and they will decide to get divorced. Along the way, one or both spouses could become increasingly frustrated because they realize that the holiday season is not the panacea that they thought.

Money Disputes

Roughly 20 to 40% of divorces are caused by disagreements about nothing. A married couple may have different priorities about how they spend their money. One may be more inclined to save, while the other may be more willing to spend. These disagreements can come to a head over the holiday season. The average family spends nearly $1,000 on the holidays, and some spend even far more. The couple may have arguments about how much to spend on the holidays, especially when money is already tight.

Family Disagreements

Couples spend quite a bit of time around family during the holiday season. However, this can also spark attention among the married couple, especially when there are issues with family members. There may be a conflict about which family members a couple wants to sleep with during the holiday season. If there is any tension involving other family members, it can exacerbate an already difficult situation between two spouses.

Catalysts for Reflection

The holiday season may be a prompt for people to take stock of their life. They may reflect on both the prior year and where they want to be in the coming year. At this point, they may begin to realize that their marriage is not a situation that they want to stay in, and they may resolve to make a change once the holiday season is complete. There is a reason why January is known as “divorce month” as people are putting into practice what they planned for the prior month.

Contact a Kansas Family Law Attorney Today

If you are considering a divorce in the coming year, reach out to the Kansas family law attorneys at The Colgan Law Firm, LLC. We can help you with a comprehensive strategy for your coming divorce. It is essential that you get legal help ahead of time so you have a plan for what may become a very difficult time in your life. You can schedule a consultation with one of our divorce lawyers by visiting our website or by calling us today at 913-721-9999.