You might not think it, but January is a popular month for divorce filings. Perhaps you are thinking of getting a divorce, but want to wait until after the holidays are over before you file. You’re not alone — quite a few people will be getting a New Year’s divorce in 2020.
Even though you might have friends and family telling you to go ahead and get started on the next chapter in your life, it’s reasonable to want to wait so as to not disrupt the holidays for your children and family. That doesn’t mean you can’t take some steps ahead of time to make things easier for yourself down the road.
Keep A Positive Attitude
It doesn’t matter how you decide to wrap your mind around a divorce — it’s going to be an emotional time. You’ve invested time and energy into a marriage that will now be ending. Add that to the stress of the holidays and it’s easy to see someone getting overwhelmed quickly.
You may think it’s asking too much for you to keep up a positive attitude when you are thinking about ending the marriage. After all, you probably have a good reason for making that decision, and it’s probably not a positive one. But, getting a divorce is a new beginning and that’s what you need to keep in mind.
Focus on the opportunities that you will have and the fresh start that is around the corner. Try to keep a positive attitude if for no other reason than getting an amicable divorce is a much better option than a hostile one.
Pre-Holiday Agreement
If you and your spouse have already discussed the idea of divorce once the holidays are over, now is the time to have a frank conversation about the holidays themselves. You will want to try and maintain a normal holiday schedule and the traditions that you usually follow.
In addition, you should both agree to keep news of the divorce to yourselves to minimize the impact on the holidays for your children and extended family members. It goes without saying that now is the time to make an extra effort not to argue in front of the children.
Getting Prepared for New Year’s Divorce
Just because you’re waiting until things settle down after the holidays to file for divorce doesn’t mean you can’t begin getting ready now. There are some steps you can discreetly take now that will help you and your attorney when it comes time to file.
A big step will be to start putting together all your financial records. Having your financial records organized and together will make your attorney very grateful. Also, start thinking about your assets and your potential expenditures post-divorce. It’s not a bad idea to begin thinking about your new budget.
You can also start discreetly looking for an apartment if you are planning on moving out once you file. Getting a feel for the housing landscape will reduce anxiety when it comes time to move.
Of course, the most important step you can take if you are planning on getting a New Year’s divorce is to contact an attorney. An experienced, caring attorney can help guide you through the process and minimize anxiety and negativity.
If you’re in Henry, Clayton, or Fayette counties and are thinking about getting a divorce after the holidays, now is the time to come in for a consultation at Family Matters Law Group. We’ve helped people across the Atlanta metro area start a new chapter in their lives by helping them with their divorce or custody cases.
Setting up an initial consultation is as simple as calling or using our online contact form. We look forward to hearing your story and fighting hard for your family, your assets, and your money.
