In states with ‘no fault’ divorces, couples are 8% more likely to both work full-time outside the homeup
/Gravitas Ventures /courtesy Everett Collection
By Andrew Keshner | MarketWatch
Divorces can be tough, but sometimes for the best, says one researcher.
After surviving the holidays, many people are preparing to serve their spouse with divorce papers — and, as one expert notes, that can be a good thing for some households.
January typically has a surge in divorce filings as people look for a fresh start on their life. Divorce filings surge in January as people decide to start their New Year with a clean slate, helped by a stressful holiday period and, perhaps, even more stressful in-laws, experts say, with family lawyers reporting a rise of nearly one-third in business in the New Year.
Some U.S. lawyers told MarketWatch they typically see an increase in cases of 25% to 30% every year in January. Similar trends are seen in the U.K.: one in five couples plan to divorce after the holidays, according to one survey of 2,000 spouses by legal firm Irwin Mitchell.
“Social construction around what roles men and women play in the marriage has really started to shift. We see women with more financial control, which is largely tied to their presence in the workforce, and independent resources, and we see men who are truly invested in parenting and their role in the social and emotional development of their children.
“I think the shifting cultural norms make a it a lot easier for both women or men to file with confidence. No one wants to split apart a family but sometimes divorce is the healthiest thing for all parties involved. And, it probably does not hurt that Arizona is a no fault state.”
