Let’s be realistic. There is no “good” time to file for divorce. It is never an enjoyable experience and could certainly not be described as fun.
It seems, however, there are times of the year that are more popular to file for divorce. Late summer is one of those times. I figured it was just a coincidence, but when I started to look into divorce rates at different times of the year, I found that summer is a very popular time for divorce filings throughout the country, even the world. Check out this story from ABC News “End of Summer, Time for a Divorce?”
Though there are not any official statistics, I have found that other attorneys are experiencing the same late-summer rush, particularly for a Montana divorce. There are several theories as to why the end up summer is such a busy time:
Final family times. Some suggest that individuals want to wait until family vacations are over and the children are back in school to get the process started.
Summer mood shift. Others suggest the heat of late summer causes a physiological mood change that occurs with increased vitamin D, resulting in clearer thinking when filing for divorce. This is not scientific!
Self-reflection. Some attorneys have a more philosophical approach, suggesting that the end of a season encourages self-reflection, causing an individual to take the step to start anew.
Whatever the reason, late summer in the Flathead is no exception. I see a dramatic increase in work in the mid-to-late summer months.
What does this mean to someone who may be considering filing for divorce in Montana? Truthfully, a busier divorce season probably won’t affect you too much. If you are considering filing for divorce and are planning to wait until late summer, you may find it more difficult to get an appointment with an attorney. You may also see a bit more of a delay in getting your initial divorce paperwork filed and you may end up with a later trial date. Those delays could extend your divorce process by several weeks to a few months.
In the grand scheme of the divorce process, a couple of weeks may not be all that long. However, if you are particularly anxious to get the ball rolling and are hoping to move things along quickly, it may benefit you to get the divorce process started sooner rather than later.
If you feel like the time is right, call Measure Law today to discuss, or fill out our contact form.