Why Divorce Filings Spike in January and February: A Strategic Look at Timing, Pressure, and Decision-Making

Every year, divorce filings rise sharply in January and February. For professionals, executives, and business owners, the reasons are as strategic as they are personal.

Understanding why this happens matters. Timing can materially affect outcomes involving income, business equity, valuation dates, tax treatment, parenting arrangements, and long-term financial security.

1. The Holiday Season Creates Pressure, Not Resolution

For many households, the final quarter of the year is not a time of clarity—it is a time of containment.

Professionals, executives, and business owners often enter the holidays already managing significant stress:

Year-end financial obligations and bonuses
Business performance reviews and planning cycles
Travel, family expectations, and compressed schedules

Rather than resolving marital strain, the holidays frequently intensify existing fault lines. Expectations of togetherness collide with unresolved issues, and the emotional and financial costs become harder to ignore.

Yet many people deliberately postpone decisions during this period.

2. December is a Planning Month, Not a Filing Month

What we consistently see is not impulsive decision-making, but quiet preparation.

December is often spent:

Gathering financial information
Assessing income streams, bonuses, and equity interests
Thinking through business exposure and asset protection
Considering the impact on children, reputation, and professional standing

For many of our clients, divorce is not an emotional event alone—it is a strategic inflection point. December becomes a time to understand options before acting.

3. The New Year Brings Psychological and Financial Clarity

January represents a reset.The holidays pass. Business cycles restart. Financial numbers crystallize. The emotional noise recedes. What remains is a clearer view of reality—and a renewed willingness to act.

For many, the question becomes less about whether change is necessary and more about how to proceed intelligently.

This is why filings rise sharply in January and February. Decisions that were deferred during the holidays are finally executed.

4. Timing Matters More When Assets Are Complex

For individuals with closely held businesses, partnership interests or equity compensation, professional practices, or variable income, bonuses, or carried interests, the timing of a divorce filing can materially affect:

Valuation dates
Cash-flow analysis
Support calculations
Tax exposure
Negotiation leverage

January filings are often intentional—not accidental—because they align with financial clarity and strategic positioning.

5. A Familiar Pattern for Experienced Lawyers. A Rare Experience for Clients.

For those of us who practice in this area, the seasonal rhythm is well known.For those living it, it is often disorienting, private, and deeply consequential.

That is why early, discreet consultation—before filings spike—can be very important. The goal is not escalation. It is informed decision-making, risk management, and control over outcomes.

A Final Thought

Divorce is not merely a personal transition. For high-income professionals and business owners, it is a complex financial and legal event that intersects with reputation, enterprise value, and long-term planning.

January and February bring action because December brings reflection.

Handled correctly, timing can be an asset—not a liability.

At The Glennon Law Firm, P.C., we represent professionals, executives, and business owners across New York in divorces involving large and/or complex assets.

With offices in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, New York City, we can help you across New York State.

You may learn more about the nuances of divorce involving businesses or other assets by visiting these pages:

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This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific legal counsel, please contact our office directly.