The month of January is known for ...

New Year's celebrations, cold weather, MLK Day, and ...

"Divorce Month."

Why? Because many couples choose to start the divorce process in January since many are not likely to divorce in November and December.

The second week of January is the most popular time for divorce filings in the United States. People start looking for information before the New Year starts, but they can’t do much until the attorneys are back in the office. January 12-16 seems to be the magic week for filings.

Post-holiday realiziations, holiday stress, New Year's resolutions (New Year, New You), Jody, social media influences, breakdown in communication which can lead to, "I don't like you, I don't love you, and I don't respect you," unresolved conflict, selfish behaviors, and bad financial decisions can show themselves, at any time, and especially in the month of January.

Interesting divorce statistics:

• 56 % of marriages end in divorce. That is the ones that end in divorce. What percentage stay together for the kids (conservatively 10 % and as much as 20 %)? Or stay together because they don’t want to give away half their shite? Another 10 % - that is conservative. Let’s say 20 %. You now have a “technology” that fails nearly 76 % of the time. That is insane. That’s more likely than not. If I told you there was 76 % chance that when you go outside you’re going to get hit with a bowling ball, you would not go out, or you would wear a helmet. But people just continue to get married and there is a presumption that you should get married, and if you don’t get married, “What is wrong with you?”

• Marriage is an inherently a negligent activity. It’s like owning a lion. The likelihood of someone getting hurt very seriously is incredibly high.

• Love is wonderful. But love and marriage have very little to do with each other.

• 84 % of people who get divorced are remarried within 5 years of their divorce. Think about that. Now you’ve done it, and failed, felt the pain of the loss, and within 5 years, 84 % are remarried.

• Women leave men 80 % of the time. And if they’re college educated, it’s 90 %.

• Women initiate 70 % of all divorces.

• 2 out of 3 marriages will make it to their 10th anniversary, but only 1 out of 3 marriages will make it to their 25th anniversary.

• 73 % of third marriages end up in divorce.

I hope none of you who are married have to go through this. There will be those who will chime in and say getting a divorce and finding someone else is the best thing that ever happened to them. And perhaps it is. But the process of stonewalling, no communication, disrespect, avoidance that all lead to the divorce, that took place months and years prior to the actual separation/divorce --- and factor in your children --- is no fun for anyone -- and is costly, emotionally, mentally, and even financially.