A breakup at the start of the new year is not quite the most celebratory way to start the year.

Numerous American family lawyers told the news website MarketWatch that January is often when they see a 25% to 30% increase in divorce cases. There may be similar trends in other countries, and a poll of 2,000 spouses in the U.K. by the law firm Irwin Mitchell found that one in five couples planned to get a divorce after the holidays. It is time for people and marriage partners contemplating a break up around the holidays to look into the causes of this phenomenon.

Fear of Letting Down Family

Divorce is hard for everyone involved, but it may be especially trying on children and other loved ones. Many married couples put off getting a divorce until after the holidays, when their close friends and relatives are present, to avoid the emotional strain of making the announcement.

For instance, even though it is usual for some couples to end their marriages well before the end of the year, many people wait until after the holiday season is over before making a new start. It is because those with children may feel strongly motivated to give them another holiday season that seems "normal."

New Year, New Me: New Year's Resolutions

Another viewpoint that influences January divorce rates is somewhat more arbitrary. The start of a year is sometimes a time for introspection, and the popularity of New Year's resolutions can be linked to an increase in divorce cases. Some people see the new year as a chance to create the life they genuinely desire, which often entails letting go of things they think are holding them back or weighing them down.

If your marriage struggled and you often fought in 2022, you are unlikely to want to spend yet another 12 months dealing with the same problems. The same is true for those who don't think their marriage offers them the same security or affection as courting and the honeymoon did.

Holidays Magnify Marital Issues That Already Exist.

Christmas-related disputes are not uncommon. In one survey, 14% of married couples with children reported that their children dreaded Christmas last year because of conflicts. Still, the holiday season was also a stressful time for their relationships.   Indeed, 16% of those polled said they fought more during the holidays than any other month, and another 15% said Christmas signaled the end of their marriage.

The Christmas season may make some people feel as if their spouse isn't treating them well, isn't supportive, or isn't helping out with the kids enough. Some couples break up when the "post-holiday blues add to their already strong feelings of dissatisfaction and disappointment." There is no longer any pressure to continue after Christmas; there is no longer a need to seem pretentious.

Considering the schedule of the kids.

January, for most households, ushers in a new school year along with the return of daycare, sports, and a flurry of other activities for the kids. They have set times to arrive, locations to visit, and routines to follow, which keep them engaged and on course. Although there can never be a "perfect moment" for divorce, January often turns out to be the "optimal time" for kids to experience a family split.

Infidelity appears to peak around the holidays.

Many people tend to cheat on their partners during the holidays, which may lead to more separations and divorces. According to The Huffington Post, statistics from the dating app Clover indicate that more individuals in relationships link up over the holidays compared to any other time of year.

According to More Magazine, 42% of women and 56% of men confess to cheating on their partners around the holidays. Holiday depression is a contributing factor in many of these infidelity cases.

It is not unusual for lovers to give each other gifts or flowers during the holidays. When one partner finds strange transactions on the other's credit card that they can't explain, it could be a sign of cheating and can lead to a divorce.

Financial-Related Strategic Reasons

Some couples have already decided to divorce before the end of the year. However, they often wait until the end of the year to file for divorce for tax-related reasons. When a couple gets divorced before the end of the tax year, they usually don't have to pay transfer taxes on the property they give to the other person.

Also, divorce filings are often postponed until January because of the added financial strain of the holidays. In November and December, many households spend substantial money on various things, including presents, meals, decorations, and maybe travel expenses. This sort of financial outlay can bring about a significant stress level because of the pressure it puts on the household budget. Thus, some people file for divorce after paying their holiday expenses.

Too much togetherness!

Most people live by their usual schedules, and when they're compelled to spend too much time together, they inevitably start to get in each other's way. Putting on a pleasant face for a few weeks may suffocate some people, causing their true feelings and personalities to bubble to the surface and making them want to explode come January.

Conclusion: Don't Call a Divorce Attorney Right Away

Nobody ordinarily wants to think about divorce at any time of the year. It's vital to try to solve the problems—sometimes holiday-related, newly emerging ones—instead of making rash decisions. Consider giving some serious thought to the question of whether or not it is possible to save your marriage. It could be in your best interest to speak with a certified marital counselor about your alternatives if you and your spouse have done everything else to keep your marriage together, but nothing has worked.