Studies have shown that is not uncommon for couples in a fragile marriage to ultimately decide to file for divorce in the month of January. This is due to a few factors. With a majority of Americans celebrating various holidays throughout the month of December, it often becomes a month of enlightenment for many couples struggling with their marriage.
Although it is possible that the holiday season, with its dinners, parties and family gatherings may draw spouses closer, it is also possible that spouses come to the realization that their marriage is irreparable. If children are involved, it is not uncommon for couples to simply “go through the motions” and try to appear happy and to avoid fighting and ruining the happy times for their children. But as the New Year comes into the picture, for these couples, it becomes time to act, which often means filing for divorce.
While many factors go into the divorce process, it is important for fathers to understand their importance in their children’s lives. The courts are also aware of the importance of a father’s role in a child’s upbringing and will take that relationship into consideration when making decisions regarding child custody, possibly opting for shared parenting to minimize the impact on the child.
The courts’ primary objective is to protect the best interests of the child. If the father plays a large role in the child’s upbringing, that will be taken into consideration. Fathers have the right to fight for their children’s behalf, whether that means making child custody modifications or simply protecting a father’s right during the initial divorce proceedings.
Source: MarketWatch, “ Why January is a popular month to file for divorce,” By Quentin Fottrell, Jan. 6, 2015