The holidays are approaching, and it will not be long until families gather around the Thanksgiving table. Then come the Hanukkah and Christmas festivities, followed by New Year’s.
Many people make New Year’s Resolutions. Will yours include heading for divorce court?
Family time turns sour
A sense of excitement builds in many people as the holidays draw nigh; the weeks between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day are a time of great anticipation. People want their children to enjoy the holiday season most of all, and there is always the hope that something magical will happen given all the glitter, glamour and hoopla. However, if expectations are not met and family time is not as meaningful as one hoped, divorce may be the next big event.
A U.K. firm takes a survey
A law firm in the United Kingdom undertook a 2014 study about married couples and the holidays. The study involved surveying British couples just before Christmas, and of the respondents, 40 percent were having marital difficulties, 10 percent were experiencing severe issues and 25 percent felt that the holidays could “make or break” their marriage. Those who hoped to improve their marital state were planning on having date nights without the children, quiet nights at home with the spouse and buying expensive gifts.
Back in the States
Carole Lieberman, a California relationship expert, explains that people tend to reflect on their relationship during the holidays, and it is not uncommon for people to connect the new year with a new start in life. As a result, the first few weeks of the year turn out to be prime time for divorce filings.
Divorce and the new tax law
The new tax law goes into effect on January 1, 2019, that reverses the way alimony is currently handled. The person paying alimony will no longer be able to deduct those payments, while the recipient will not have to pay tax on the money received. Will this affect your New Year’s Resolution? If you are contemplating divorce, it may be tempting to give the marriage one last chance and see how things go over the holidays. Depending on your financial status, however, you may not want to wait that long to file.
