We are coming to the end of another Dallas summer. August is our hottest month of the year, according to climatedata.com, with an average high of 96 degrees. New research shows that this is also the time when divorce filings hit their peak in the second half of the year.
Two University of Washington sociologists say their analysis of data shows that March is the peak divorce-filing month in the first half of the year. They say that their examination of 15 years of data shows those two months show consistent annual spikes.
The researchers are sure of when divorces surge, but less certain about why the bi-annual swells occur. They speculate that these predictable upticks might be due to a “domestic ritual” calendar.
Every year, divorces peak in August, followed by a prolonged, steady decrease every month through December (the divorce low-point of the year). When a new year begins, , like clockwork the rate of divorces ticks upward from January through March.
“People tend to face the holidays with rising expectations, despite what disappointments they might have had in years past,” the sociology professor said, adding that winter holidays and summer holidays are both “symbolically charged moments.” When troubled relationships are not revived by the holidays, sometimes dramatic change is in the offing.
The professor said that the spike in March is due to couples taking time at the start of the new year to get finances in order and to find family law attorneys.
Those facing divorce and child custody disputes can speak with a Dallas family law attorney experienced in resolving difficult disagreements while protecting the best interests of your children.