Experiencing a divorce is one of the hardest events which a family can go through and divorce proceedings can feel exceptionally isolating. Although the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) illustrates a decreased rate of divorce over the past several years, statistics show that more than 40% of first marriages in the United States will end in divorce. At Martin & Wallentine we understand that each family has a unique story and set of circumstances. However, there are several common reasons which continually show up in cases of divorce.
The top reasons couples get divorced include:
- Lack of communication: An underlying issue in many marriages occurs when one or both spouses feel that there has been a breakdown in their day to day communication. Without effective communication, spouses are unable to resolve new issues or repair any existing damage to the relationship. Issues relating to communication often persist into divorce proceedings, complicating issues such as asset division, child custody agreements, and spousal support.
- Domestic Abuse: Relationships which involve abuse towards a spouse or child are tremendously serious and deserve individual attention. Often involving criminal and civil misconduct, domestic abuse can include both physical and emotional attacks against a family member such as hitting, pushing, stalking, or the use of intimidation. If you or a loved one has been a victim of abuse, it’s imperative to find a safe location and seek help as soon as possible.
- Marriage inequality: Spouses may take on different roles or responsibilities within a marriage which may sometimes lead to feelings of inequality within a relationship. For example, when one spouse experiences a greater level of career, financial, or educational success, their partner can be left with feelings of inadequacy, jealousy, and envy. Emotions relating to insecurity and the lack of self-worth can lead to the development of unhappiness in a marriage and over time, a greater likelihood of divorce.
- Substance Abuse: An addiction of any kind can put immeasurable stress on a marriage as addicts may often forgo family and career obligations in order to pursue an addiction. This behavior can quickly endanger the livelihood of family members and lead to the breakdown of family relationships. While it is important that anyone suffering from substance abuse receive help for their addiction, actively remaining a partner in a marriage may not be in the best interest of the family.
- Financial Issues: Dealing with financial issues can be stressful on its own. Money, or the lack thereof, has a tendency to create new areas of conflict while exacerbating existing issues in a relationship. While many marriages can push through periods of financial instability, longer periods of hardship can increase the chances of serious damage to a relationship.
- Adultery: Cases in which one or both spouses have been unfaithful can lead to emotionally charged divorces with little cooperation between parties. Suspicions of adultery alone can sometimes be enough to lead to the deterioration of trust and support within a marriage. While some couples are successful in pushing through the trauma caused by adultery, issues created by an unfaithful act can often be too much for a marriage to recover from.
No two families or divorce proceedings are ever the same and will have circumstances unique to their situation. Likewise, there is rarely ever one specific reason or event which directly causes couples to separate. Many times, it is an accumulation and mix of many reasons (some not listed above) which over time, cause couples to seek a divorce.
Questions on Your Divorce? Call (912) 323-2518
If you are going through or anticipating a divorce, reviewing the reasons which commonly underlay a divorce can be beneficial in providing insight to this extremely private and personal issue. Whether you and your spouse are seeking a divorce or if you want to explore alternatives to marital dissolution, the Johnson County divorce attorneys at Martin & Wallentine can outline and discuss the legal options which may be best for your situation. No matter how complex your family law matter, our attorneys will fight to ensure that the interests of your family are protected every step of the way.
Call us today at (912) 323-2518 and talk to an attorney about your divorce.