Walking through the aisles of convenience stores and grocery stores in Houston and elsewhere across Texas, there are end caps with big bins of Valentine’s Day candy with a sign slapped to the front that advertises 50 percent off. The sale candy seems to mirror the feeling of dissatisfaction that many feel every year following this day that is supposed to be spent with a beloved partner. For many couples in Texas, this day that is meant to be dedicated to the person you love can highlight tensions and stress within a relationship.
While some couples experiencing problems place hopes of reconciliation on this day, failure to see these hopes manifested can give some individuals that already have misgivings incentive to back out of a relationship. Accordingly, a study of several lawyers reports that the day following Valentine’s Day marks the beginning of the busiest season for divorce, with Feb. 15 in particular being the day that the most people contact or seek information from divorce lawyers.
It certainly is not the holiday itself that leads people to get divorced, but rather the holiday can cause many individuals to take inventory of their relationship to evaluate if it is what they want and need. Thereby, Valentine’s Day can be a bit of a catalyst for the end.
In Texas, there are a few decisions that need to be made when thinking about the end. First of all, it is important to decide if an individual will pursue to end the marital relationship through a legal separation or a divorce.
For most individuals, an important component is to save money and open a separate account when embarking on the path toward a marital dissolution. Collecting documents of banks statements, retirement accounts and debts is also important. Another critical consideration is plans for child custody and visitation.
For many, this can feel overwhelming, but individuals do not need to feel alone. Retaining an experienced divorce attorney can make the divorce process in Texas one that is informed, and fair.
Source: CNN Money, “Day after Valentine’s kicks off divorce season,” Chris Isidore, Feb. 15, 2013
- For more information on a Texas divorce and related matters, please refer to our page regarding getting started with a divorce in Houston.