Is there a best time of year to get divorced?

When you're both ready. That matters more than any date on the calendar, and no tax benefit is worth staying married for. There are a few real timing details though. Your marital status on December 31 sets your tax filing status for the whole year, and the capital gains exclusion on the family home drops from $500,000 to $250,000 per person once you're divorced. Both are worth knowing before you pick a finalization date. More on the timing details worth planning around.