Why Reconciling During the Holidays is Risky

 Posted on December 15, 2023 in Child Custody

If you surveyed every couple in the state of Illinois with a divorce in process during the holidays, a significant portion would likely say they are having some thoughts of reconciliation. People can become very sentimental during the holidays. If you have children together, the thought of not spending your major winter holiday together as a family may be painful. Your children themselves may be upset at not having both parents around on the holiday. It can be easy to reminisce with rose-colored glasses about holidays past and how you spent them with your spouse. These emotions can be strong enough to prompt some people to reach out and attempt to reconcile with their spouse. While this may seem like a good idea now, your feelings can easily change in the New Year. It is important to talk it over with your Naperville, IL, divorce attorney before taking any major steps

What Causes Spouses to Reconcile During the Holidays? 

It is normal for people who are in the middle of a divorce to have some feelings of sadness during the first holiday season. Your plans may be very different this year than they have been in years past. One of you will likely be spending holidays with friends or extended family while the other has parenting time. This can be deeply upsetting. You may feel an urge to “fix” the situation - by staying with your spouse

The holidays are also often billed as a time of romance. There is an endless stream of romance movies set against a holiday backdrop. Many holiday movies feature romantic plotlines. It can be easy to get swept up in the spirit of the season and see hope for your marriage that is simply not there

Why You Should Wait to Dismiss Your Divorce

Many who dismiss their divorce during the holidays regret it come early spring. When the magic of the season fades, you are left just where you were before filing for divorce. If you dismiss your case, one of you will likely need to re-file and begin the process all over again

A better option - if you must attempt to reconcile now - is to ask the court for a conciliation conference. This can allow you and your spouse to pause your divorce and seek counseling. If you decide you still want to get divorced, you can pick up where you left off in the process

Contact a Will County, IL, Divorce Lawyer

Law Office of Ronald L. Hendrix, P.C. is highly experienced in guiding people through divorce. Our dedicated Naperville, IL, divorce attorneys will strive to offer you the best legal guidance possible. Contact us at 630-355-7776 for a complimentary initial consultation