January Is "Divorce Month" Barkus Law Sees Increase in Filings

Online, January 6, 2014 (Newswire.com) - For most people the New Year means out with the old and in with the new and of course a laundry list of resolutions. For many, it's also a time to rethink relationships and make a break.

According to statistics published by eDivorcePapers.com, January has the most legal breakups. In fact, in family law circles January is known as "Divorce Month." Weston family law attorney Lori Barkus, like many attorneys across the country who handle divorce, says the first few weeks in January are among the busiest.

The New Year is a time when many people sit back and think about how their relationships are going. The greater number of calls that Barkus receives in January suggests that many people are considering what their next steps will be.

"January is busiest because things tend to come to a decision point during the holidays and at the time of the New Year," Barkus says. "Holidays are stressful for people who are unhappy in their marriages and many reach the breaking point, or the decision point, at that time."

Many people don't want to ruin the holidays for the kids so they grin and bear it until after things settle down. Others who are thrown together with family day-after-day during the two-week holiday period come to the realization that this is not the person they want to spend the next year, or the rest of their life with.

Because of the downturn in the economy, many people put off divorce. Now that things are improving and home prices are on the rise - making it easier to sell the marital home - divorce is now a better option.

Taxes also play a role. Since marital status is determined as of December 31, if a couple wants to file their returns jointly, they have to be married as of that date.

Generally, the decision to divorce doesn't come as a surprise. It's usually something couples have contemplated for a while and some have even contacted their attorney prior to making the decision to divorce.

South Florida family law attorney Lori Barkus has 15 years of legal experience. She is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil and Family Law mediator and guardian ad litem. She handles matters relating to divorce, custody, child support, paternity, collaborative divorce, adoption, parental rights, and family law and civil mediation. Ms. Barkus is a cum laude graduate of the University of Miami School of Law. She is admitted to practice in Florida, Georgia and the District of Columbia, as well as in the Southern and Middle Districts of Florida and the Eleventh Judicial Circuit Court of Appeals. She is also a member of Leading Women for Shared Parenting.