Charlotte Divorce Lawyer Blog
What is the Holiday Pause?
The holidays are the time for family get-togethers and parties. It is a season of joy and expectation, especially for children. Many couples who are considering divorce decide to put their relationship issues on hold until after December. This period is often called the holiday pause. It simply means that you are waiting until the new year to make important decisions or critical changes. Is the holiday pause necessary, and if so, what can you do to make this time better and easier?
Why Wait Until After the Holidays?
Many people prefer to wait until the holidays are over to begin the separation and divorce process. In fact, so many couples hold out until after Christmas that January has become known as “divorce month.” Certainly, January is one of the busiest times for people to begin their divorce. For some, the holidays are a happy time to spend with friends and family, and they do not want to ruin the festivities by separating or starting divorce proceedings. Also, people are often busy preparing for the holidays, attending events, and shopping for gifts that there is not enough time to pursue a separation or divorce.
Press Pause But Continue Preparing
If you are ready to end your marriage but prefer to wait until after the holiday season, there are some things you can do to prepare. Begin gathering information that is necessary to start the separation process. Make a list of your bank accounts, property, savings, loans, and other financial data in preparation for a separation. You can also start to think about where each of you will reside and how you will manage finances during the separation period. If you have children, you will need to consider their living arrangements as well as how to discuss the family situation with them when the time arises.
Avoid Confrontations
Even if you know the inevitable is about to happen, you can prevent an acrimonious situation by avoiding confrontations. Added stress during this time can make emotions run high, and added discussions of divorce or separation could end badly. As soon as you know that you have paused the divorce, you may feel a weight lifted. This can enable you and your spouse to set aside your differences for the sake of the holidays. Agree not to talk about the separation or divorce until a better time.
Choose Your Own Timeline
The decision to separate and divorce is a big one. It is not something to take lightly. You should not rush the decision, but instead should choose the timeline that works best for you and your family. North Carolina requires a one-year separation period. You must live apart for at least one year before you can file for divorce in our state. This period allows you time to speak with an attorney, gather the documentation you need, and prepare your case. It is helpful to consult with an attorney as early in the process as possible so you are sure to follow the correct laws and procedures that apply.
To learn more about the divorce process in North Carolina, give us a call at Arnold & Smith, PLLC, at (704) 370-2828.
The family law practice group at Arnold & Smith, PLLC includes two Board-Certified Family Law specialists and one Child Welfare Law specialist, as well as several attorneys with many years of family law experience that are committed to providing a powerful voice to individuals facing the often-tumultuous issues in this area of law. The range of issues our family law clients may be facing include pre- and post-nuptial agreements; separation agreements; post-separation support; child support (both temporary and permanent); absolute divorce; divorce from bed and board; military divorce; equitable distribution of assets; child custody (both temporary and permanent); retirement benefits and divorce; alimony and spousal support; adoption; and emancipation. Because this area of the law is usually emotionally charged and complicated, the family law attorneys at Arnold & Smith, PLLC act with the utmost dedication to ensure that each client understands his or her options, and then act to achieve the best result possible for that client’s particular situation.
Source:
https://www.ncleg.net/enactedlegislation/statutes/html/bysection/chapter_50/gs_50-6.html
https://www.nccourts.gov/help-topics/divorce-and-marriage/separation-and-divorce
See Our Related Video from our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArnoldSmithPLLC?feature=watch
See Our Related Blog Posts: