No one enters a marriage intent on going through a divorce. Ending a marriage is messy, emotionally complicated, and expensive. However, when the marriage no longer works and the prospects for improvement are dim, filing for divorce may be one of the best decisions of your life.
What are the common reasons for divorce, and how do you know when it’s time to think about it?
This article looks at the most frequent causes and signs of an impending divorce.
What Are the Primary Reasons for Divorce?
Most marriages end due to a lack of commitment, unhealthy arguments, and inequality.
- Lack of Commitment
Over time, some marriage partners lose their sense of commitment, whether infidelity or a lack of motivation to make the marriage work.
- Unhealthy Arguments
Disagreement occurs in most relationships. A successful marriage hinges on the partners’ ability to resolve conflict healthily. When arguments go from the expression of differing views to toxic altercations, divorce often results.
- Inequality
Marriage partners need to feel equal in the relationship. When differences in age, income or personalities lead to an imbalanced dynamic, one or both spouses may feel unhappy, making divorce likely.
- Abuse
When abuse rears its ugly head, divorce becomes imperative. Mistreatment takes many forms, ranging from physical to sexual to emotional to financial. All forms of abuse establish grounds for divorce.
- Young Marriage
Though many couples marry young and stay together for life, the incidents of divorce among younger couples are statistically high compared to older people. Often, spouses change as they mature, leading to a loss of intimacy, interest, and attraction.
Common Red Flags
When a marriage is on the rocks, red flags fly. It’s essential to pay attention to signs that a marriage is on its last legs, including these three common warning signs:
- Distance
When you and your spouse become more distant, it’s a sign that your marriage needs work. Whether emotional, psychological, or physical, becoming distant leads to estrangement and divorce. For example, a couple that once spent weekends together and bonded emotionally may cease devoting time and energy to one another, setting the stage for a deteriorating marriage.
- Increasing Inequality
Marriages often deteriorate when one partner feels the other treats him or her as a subordinate. An increasing level of inequality ranks as one of the most prevalent reasons for divorce. Inequality can take many forms. For example, if one spouse earns far more than the other and acts like this makes him or her the boss, equality has been thrown out the window, leading to unhappiness and divorce.
- Financial Disagreements
For better or worse, finances are part of married life. Often, when partners have opposing views of money management, unhealthy conflicts result. Because of this, financial disagreements have become a leading cause of divorce.
For instance, one spouse may want a large house with a sizable mortgage while the other feels minimizing debt and living in a smaller home represents the soundest financial plan. If partners cannot resolve these differences, divorce often follows.
Signs It May Be Time to End a Marriage
While no one wants to go through a divorce, sometimes it’s necessary to have a happy, productive future life. These four signs indicate it may be time to consider divorce:
- Marriage Counseling Fails
Success in marriage counseling takes two committed individuals. When counseling fails, it may indicate that one or both partners no longer values the relationship.
- Unresolved Conflicts
Conflicts can be healthy when resolved in a way that strengthens a relationship. However, when they remain unresolved for long periods, it’s a sign the marriage may no longer be working.
- Loss of Intimacy
Most couples feel very close in the early parts of the marriage; however, in some relationships, intimacy fizzles. When it becomes impossible to rekindle closeness, the marriage may be in trouble.
- Physical or Emotional Abuse
No one should tolerate any form or amount of abuse. If one or both spouses take to mistreating their partner, there is no clearer need to end a marriage.
Why You Need a Powerful Divorce Attorney
Divorces are painful events for most people. Hopes of happiness have been dashed, and feelings are hurt. When children are involved, emotions run high.
The outcome of divorce has a significant bearing on the trajectory of your financial life, future happiness, and relationship with your children. A powerful divorce attorney understands what is at stake and how to affect the outcome you need. Unfortunately, the legal system is complex and unfriendly to pro se litigants. Complex laws flummox the inexperienced, and legal traps can lead to losing your home and other valuable property. In the worst-case scenario, it can lead to the loss of your relationship with your children.
A powerful divorce attorney ensures none of these dire consequences happens to you or your family. Your family law lawyer will work to negotiate an equitable settlement that fairly divides property and child-rearing responsibilities. If the other side remains unreasonable, your divorce attorney will take the matter to court and win the terms that serve the best interests of you and your children.
The divorce and family lawyers at Tower Karson Law in Livonia have the experience, knowledge, and compassion to get you through the divorce process while protecting your best interests. Call to set up a Free Consultation today.