February has excellent branding. It’s got hearts, chocolates, and couples eagerly making reservations for romantic dinners. Meanwhile, during this month, family law attorneys are quietly bracing themselves because this is also when many marriages finally tap out. Calling February “divorce month” isn’t edgy or cynical. It’s just stating a fact.
We’re not the first to say this, either. Lawyers have noted that divorce filings tend to climb early in the year, with momentum building from January rolling straight into February. Research shows a noticeable rise in divorce activity after the holidays, when real life comes roaring back, and denial loses its grip. And that timing isn’t accidental.
The holidays don’t fix anything; they just delay the inevitable
December has a funny way of convincing people to hit pause on major life decisions because no one wants to blow up Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve, or the kids’ winter break. So, people wait, smile through gritted teeth, and promise themselves they’ll deal with it “after the holidays.”
Then January arrives, and suddenly there’s no tree to hide behind. By February, that quiet resolve hardens into action. Divorce attorneys routinely report a surge in consultations and filings during this period, something that’s been echoed by legal commentators and relationship researchers alike. It’s not that romance fails in February; it’s clarity showing up once the chaos fades.
“New Year energy” has consequences
There’s also the psychological reset factor. In January and February, people reassess, take stock, and look at their lives without the filter of the holidays. So, if a marriage has been limping along, this is often when reality kicks in for many couples. Those who’ve been toying with the idea of divorce might think, “I can’t go on another year like this.”
That decision doesn’t always become a filing on January 1. It turns into phone calls, research, and quiet planning. By February, paperwork starts moving.
No thanks to Valentine’s Day
February 14 doesn’t do us any favors, either. For couples who are already struggling, the date is the equivalent of poking a bruise. For them, it’s not a celebration — it feels more like an audit. During this month, expectations spike and for many couples who aren’t in the mood for the feast of St. Valentine, disappointment follows. Sometimes that’s the final nudge someone needs to admit the relationship is truly over.
Some lawyers say that there’s a slight increase in divorce inquiries post-Valentine’s. But that’s mostly anecdotal. The bottomline is, when love month highlights what’s missing, people stop pretending.
It’s timing, not recklessness
A popular but misguided belief is that divorces filed in the first months of the year are impulsive. What happens in most cases is that most people sit with the idea for months. They worry about finances, think about the children, and dread the conversation.
Ultimately, when to file for divorce is a conscious choice. Many couples prefer to wait until after the holidays to preserve family rituals and avoid further disruption for their kids, even if their marriage is already in shambles. By February, that delay runs out.
In sum, February being called “divorce month” isn’t a hot take
It simply reflects patterns family law professionals see every year.
Whether filings peak in late January, February, or early March varies by jurisdiction. What doesn’t vary is that the start of the year brings a surge of people ready to stop living on pause.
Related reading: Breaking our silence about the myth that January is “divorce month”
Considering divorce? Consider this
February may be the love month on paper, but it’s more apt to think of it as the month when many people finally choose honesty over performance. So, if after reading all this, you’re thinking, “Hold on, this sounds so uncomfortably familiar,” don’t worry. You’re not alone.
Divorce is pretty serious, so timing matters. We at LaGrandeur & Williams can guide our clients with clarity and experience through this season. We provide smart, compassionate family law support to people who want to move forward. If that’s what you need, get in touch.