Archive · 8 Jan 2026
January Dubbed Unofficial Divorce Month
January is often called 'Divorce Month' because many couples decide to get a divorce at the start of the new year.
This is because people want a fresh start and may have been thinking about it for a while.
Studies show that divorce filings go up by 33% in January, but some experts say it's not the only month with more divorces.
Other months like March and August also see an increase.
Some people think January is just the start of the divorce process, not the end.
Women are sometimes more likely to start the divorce process after the holidays, but this isn't always true.
So, while January is a busy month for divorces, it's not the only one.
January is unofficially nicknamed 'Divorce Month' due to a spike in divorce filings.
A University of Washington study found a 33% increase in divorce filings in January.
Divorce filings drop by about 50% in November and December but soar in January.
Experts suggest that January is often the starting point for divorce, not the finish line.
Women are more likely to initiate divorce after the holidays, according to some researchers.
- Who
- Couples considering divorce
- What
- January is unofficially nicknamed 'Divorce Month' due to a spike in divorce filings
- When
- January, with a significant increase in divorce filings
- Where
- United States, with notable data from Texas and Washington
- Why
- Couples may seek a fresh start in the new year, and financial concerns play a vital role in marital breakdown
- Month with highest divorce filings
- January
- Increase in divorce filings in January
- 33%
- Decrease in divorce filings in November and December
- 50%
- Percentage of divorce inquiries in January
- 25-30%
- Study period for divorce filings
- 2001-2015
- States with highest divorce filings in March and August
- Washington