Peak Times for Divorces: Researchers Say Couples Most Likely to Divorce in March, August

Divorces occur at much higher rates in March and August, according to researchers from the University of Washington.

The study examined divorce filing data in Washington from 2001 and 2015, with researchers finding that divorces tend to peak at very particular times of the year: during the months of March and August. Moreover, there is a substantial decrease in the total number of divorce filings during the fall season, which includes the months of September, October, November, and December.

Julie Brines, a sociology professor at the University of Washington and one of the authors of the divorce study, said that spouses tend to avoid getting divorced at the end of the year because they don’t want to upset the family dynamic right before the holidays – especially if there are children who could be affected by the break-up of the family. That’s why many divorcing spouses wait until August – after the previous schoolyear has ended and before the upcoming schoolyear starts – before filing for divorce. This is something that Brines refers to as a “domestic ritual calendar.”

Alternatively, a spouse looking to get divorced might do so in March, after the New Year has started and they may feel like making a fresh start. This is well after the holidays have come and gone, with people stuck in unsatisfying marriages perhaps realizing that they’ve made it through another year without anything getting better in their relationship.

For additional information, read the CNN.com article, “Study: These Are the Peak Times for Divorce.”

If you are thinking about filing for divorce in New Jersey, or if you have already started the divorce process, you should speak with a qualified NJ divorce lawyer as soon as possible. The experienced divorce and family law attorneys at Davis & Mendelson can help you explore your legal options and protect your assets. Contact us anytime to schedule a free consultation.