Divorce Season in Chicago: Is It a “Real Thing”? Find Out Where to Turn if You Need Legal Help with Your Chicago Divorce Case

Earlier this month on February 4, local Chicago news radio station WGN 720 Radio “Home Sweet Home Chicago” asked its audience an important question: “Did your marriage survive divorce season?” Indeed, with the 2024 holidays out of the way, and the 2025 New Year rung in, the popular radio show brought in experts to “discuss divorce season and how to minimize the stress and anger surrounding a divorce during negotiations.” But what exactly is divorce season, and is it a “real thing” in Chicago? To help Chicago couples and individuals better understand the concept of divorce season in Chicago, and what they can do if they need legal help with their Chicago divorce, we answer that question here.

Divorce Patterns in the United States – Is There a Specific “Divorce Season”?

Although WGN 720 radio hosts appear to be of the mind that “divorce season” caps off the winter holidays, other research indicates that there may be two seasons in which divorces “spike.” An “old but good” study from the University of Washington on the subject of divorce seasons, tends to reveal that there is a “biannual spike of divorce filings,” at least when it comes to Washington State. The research was presented at the August 21, 2016 meeting of the American Sociological Association, with the ultimate premise that the study “suggests that divorce filings may be driven by a ‘domestic ritual’ calendar governing family behavior.” The study was the first quantitative evidence of divorce filing patterns, and it revealed that divorce filings in the state peaked consistently between the years 2001 and 2015 in the months of March and August. Perhaps not coincidentally, these months follow the winter and summer holidays and most Americans celebrate. The study’s finding may be explained by the nature of how we celebrate holidays, with researchers noting that, “Winter and summer holidays are culturally sacred times for families…when filing for divorce is considered inappropriate, even taboo. And troubled couples may see the holidays as a time to mend relationships and start anew: We’ll have a happy Christmas together as a family or take the kids for a nice camping trip, the thinking goes, and things will be better.”

Is “Divorce Season” the Best Time to Get Divorced in Chicago?

The truth of the matter is that there is no special “divorce season” in which Chicago couples should seek to get divorced. Indeed, individuals in Chicago who are seeking a divorce should speak with a lawyer as soon as possible about their rights and options, and do not have to wait for any particular holiday to pass, or season to come and go. The sooner a person who is seeking a divorce speaks with an experienced Chicago divorce lawyer, the sooner they can know their rights and options and make decisions that are the best for them.

If you are in the Chicago area and you need legal help with your Chicago divorce, contact the experienced Chicago divorce lawyers at Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC. Contact Arnoux Sharma Standeford, LLC and speak with a lawyer about your case now.

Source:

wgnradio.com/home-sweet-home-chicago/video-home-sweet-home-chicago/did-your-marriage-survive-divorce-season/