The top of the year isn’t the only time divorce filings surge; data suggests March and late summer are also popular windows. But January reigns supreme as the most iconic “Divorce Month” thanks, in part, to the many familiar, compounding factors believed to influence this influx of New Year’s splits.

California's new law allows married couples to file joint divorce petitions, streamlining the process and eliminating process servers.

So, is January really the best time to get a divorce? If you’re wondering what “Divorce Month” truly is and why it’s earned this title, I reached out to divorce lawyers, Nicole Sodoma, author of Please Don’t Say You’re Sorry,

Signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom, the law expands what’s called a joint petition for summary dissolution to more couples who agree on terms in advance and meet certain requirements.