When sociologists at the University of Washington set out to study the impact of economic recession on marital stability, they inadvertently ended up discovering trends that single out March and August as yearly peak times for divorce filings.
While the research was initially confined to the state of Washington, subsequent and ongoing investigations have revealed similar trends in other states, despite differing economic and demographic conditions. Although similar studies have not yet been conducted in Canada, analysis contained in the study and the cultural similarities among Western countries may lead to the suspicion that Canadian families also follow seasonal patterns of divorce.
Why The Seasonal Impetus?
After analyzing divorce filings spanning the years of 2001 to 2015, the researches consistently noticed an increase in the numbers during March and August ‚ times that they believe are related to winter and summer breaks.
They theorize that Christmas and summer family vacation are times when families have greater hopes of strengthening bonds and making new starts. But corresponding tensions during such times can also lead to disappointment and ultimately drive couples in conflict to finally make the decision to divorce.
They further propose that the lag between Christmas and March is a period during which families get their finances in order before taking legal steps to end the marriage. But the quicker turnaround times during summer may stem from parents wanting to commence proceedings before their children start the new school year.
Whether couples consciously or subconsciously fall into the numbers filing for divorce during these seasonal peaks, the opportune route for pursuing an equitable end to a marital relationship is the same ‚ seeking experienced legal help. The lawyers at Peterson Stark Scott are available to answer questions and provide customized legal advice on separation and divorce.