SEX FILES: Cruel summer: Why more couples are considering divorce as temperatures rise

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When we think of summer, we envision lazy days and playful vacations filled with bright sunshine and carefree energy, but increasingly, it’s becoming the season of breakups. While the first Monday in January has long been known as “Divorce Day” due to the post-holiday surge in splits, new data suggests that more couples are choosing to wait until the weather warms up before officially calling it quits. 

According to the divorce appSplitUp, searches for divorce lawyers have reached a five-year high, with searches soaring by a staggering 4,950% over the past 90 days. In June 2025 alone, interest in divorce lawyers peaked at 30,600 searches – a 13% jump from January.  So, what’s causing this shift in couples splitting up?  

According to psychologistDr. Danielle Forshee, an uptick in summer breakups may be due to the way increased sunshine affects the brain. “As the summer months continue and sunlight improves, the brain produces less melatonin and more serotonin, making people feel happier and less reliant on their partner for emotional support.”  

The warmer weather, additional socializing, and emphasis on personal freedom that summer brings provide people with the space and clarity to reassess their relationships. “In many cases, relationship issues that were simmering in winter come to a head during summer. People feel less willing to “wait it out” when they could be thriving instead of surviving,” saysLilithfoxx, a board-certified sexologist, AASECT-certified Sexuality Educator, and relationship & intimacy coach.  

Summer often brings more opportunities to socialize, which Lilithfoxx says can act as a mirror. “When you’re seeing friends who seem joyful or experiencing romantic chemistry in casual settings, it naturally invites comparison.” This reflection can amplify what isn’t working in your relationship. “Increased social engagement can also expose cracks, especially if your partner is withdrawn, controlling, or not on the same page,” she says.  

Andrew Feldstein is the founding lawyer of the Feldstein Family Law Group P.C., a family law firm in the Greater Toronto area. He says that this new sense of clarity may help people realize they’ve been staying in a relationship out of habit or fear rather than genuine satisfaction. “This can prompt someone to explore the possibility of a divorce,” he says.  

With that said, Feldstein suggests that we shouldn’t discount the role the current economic situation plays in shaping the future of relationships. “The recent increase in inflation has fundamentally altered how many Canadian families manage their finances,” says Feldstein. When you’re already struggling to afford groceries or keep up with mortgage payments, and you add the extra costs associated with the season, such as additional activities, summer camp, and vacation expenses, it can further exacerbate the fissures in a relationship.  

Breaking up during the summer may sound daunting (cue the opening chords of Bananarama’s “Cruel Summer”), but for many couples, especially those with children, it can be a beneficial decision. 

“Going through a divorce when the kids are out of school ensures that their regular routines aren’t being disrupted while their home life is changing. This gives families time to establish new living arrangements and adjust to new dynamics before the added pressure of a new school year begins,” says Feldstein. Children are also more likely to be out of the house, for example, at camp or with their grandparents. “This gives parents crucial space to handle the most difficult aspects of a separation (logistics, custody, and finances) without children witnessing heated discussions, moving arrangements, or potential emotional breakdowns that often accompany major life changes,” he says.  

While divorce is often the best decision for everyone involved, it can be incredibly disruptive. “As our children are concerned, there’s no good time to file for divorce,” says Dr. Wendy Walsh, Psychology Professor and Relationship Expert at DatingAdvice.com.  

For this reason, Feldstein urges people not to be blinded by the rose-colored glasses of summer. “The most important advice I give clients considering divorce, regardless of the time of year, is to pause and think beyond the immediate sense of freedom. Yes, you might feel liberated and optimistic right now, but what will your life actually look like a few months from now? What about the holiday season? Next year?”  

People need to assess whether they’re prepared for divorce carefully. As Feldstein reminds us, “When divorcing, things often get worse before they get better, and it can be a long time before that ‘better’ arrives.”  

While the warmer months can provide additional clarity and space for reflection, “You must go into the decision with open eyes and the confidence that this is the right decision for you and your family in the long term,” says Feldstein. After all, summer is a season, but divorce is a year-long reality.