January is busiest time of year for divorce attorneys

COLUMBUS, GA (WTVM) - We've talked about the busiest shopping days and the busiest return days of the year, but did you know January is the busiest month for divorce attorneys?

After the presents are unwrapped and the decorations are put away, some couples get started on their New Year's plans.

"As the New Year starts I think it's pretty much the same impulse that people to want to make New Year's resolutions. They want to get their lives straightened out and get on a new track," said attorney Maxine Burns Hardy.

She says they won't be carrying out those resolutions together, "All lawyers who do this kind of work and focus on family law and divorce law, they expect to see a surge in business at the first of the year that really carries on for a few months."

Some couples have a very speedy divorce, like Shannon Pinkly, "It just really depends on who you go with. I was able to get an appointment that day."

While others know the process will take time, so they plan ahead.

"Lawyers are a lot less available at the end of the year and around the holidays and when the new year picks up, we all hit the offices ready to roll," explained Hardy.

Attorneys say couples also wait to carry out a divorce until the New Year rolls around for the sake of other family members, "Parents primarily want to wait until the holidays are over so they don't dispute that season for their children."

Pinkly added, "I think the holidays are stressful enough and when you're trying to make an emotional decision and moving forward, it's something that people just want to wait on and get through the holiday season. If you have children you don't want to put that burden and stress on them, so wait and get through the holiday and put on that happy face."

Divorce attorneys also say they see another big pop in divorces right after couples file their income taxes because they have their finances in order and finish up that business before parting ways.

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