Common Reasons for Divorce

Marriage can be filled with love, companionship, and commitment. While many couples successfully navigate this journey together, divorce is a reality for nearly half of all marriages. Some of the most common reasons people approach our firm about divorce are:

1. Growing Apart
2. Infidelity
3. Finances
4. Behavioral Issues

Growing Apart

One of the main reasons that couples divorce is because they’ve simply grown apart. This is particularly common in a family where children are involved or something significant takes focus away from the relationship. In the case of having children, parents might find themselves devoting time and energy to their kids while growing apart in their marriage. Before you know it, you wake up and don’t recognize the relationship that you are in. You’ve both changed, and that can be hard to reconcile. When you don’t grow together through significant milestones, you might find that your lives have drifted too far apart to stay connected.

People in this situation often ask me if they should move forward with divorce. I can’t answer that question for them. The decision to divorce is deeply personal – one that only you can make. I will help you understand the road ahead, including the divorce process and potential outcomes for important topics like your future financial picture, parenting arrangements, and division of assets. If you haven’t explored marital counseling or have come to this decision in a moment of frustration, I might suggest that you hit pause, sleep on it, process the information, and then decide. If you move forward, I’ll be here to support you through the process.

The decision to divorce is a personal one that you, and only you, can make.

Infidelity

Infidelity is another common factor in divorce. Whether physical or emotional, it can lead to a loss of trust that can be hard to overcome. Infidelity doesn’t usually happen in a vacuum and is often a symptom of deeper issues, such as emotional neglect or dissatisfaction in the relationship. Some couples are able to rebuild their relationship after an affair, while others find it too difficult. Professional counseling or therapy may help you navigate the path to forgiveness or closure, whether that ultimately means staying together or going separate ways.

Financial Issues

Financial issues, like differences in spending habits or goals, increasing debt, or unemployment can strain any marriage. These challenges may cause feelings of inadequacy, blame, or resentment between partners.

Some financial issues are so deep that they can be a deal breaker. For example, we see cases where one spouse gets into a financial situation that deeply impacts a couple’s financial standing, yet the other person isn’t even aware of the circumstances causing the issue. On top of the issue itself, the surprise of discovering something like this can break trust in the relationship in a way that cannot be repaired. In these cases, we will work together on a strategy to fully understand the financial picture and how you got here so that we can recommend a clear path forward.

Behavioral Issues

Sometimes conduct emerges in a marriage that makes one spouse feel unsafe or unwilling to live with the behavior, leading them to explore divorce. Abuse is one of those, whether it be verbal or physical. Addiction is another, and it can wreak havoc on a marriage, whether it involves alcohol, drugs, gambling, or other compulsive behaviors. For the partner of someone struggling with addiction, feelings of helplessness and resentment can be overwhelming.

In a marriage, these issues often lead to financial strain, broken trust, and emotional neglect. We can advise how addiction, abuse, or other behavioral issues may affect the divorce process, including any additional safety precautions that may need to be put in place if children are involved.

Final Word

While every marriage is unique, these common reasons for divorce highlight the challenges many couples face. Addressing issues early, seeking support when needed, and maintaining open communication can help you navigate difficulties and build a stronger, more resilient relationship.

The decision to divorce is a personal one that you, and only you, can make. The last thing I am going to do is tell you to file. My role is to help you understand the process and how your life might change afterward, including things like your financial picture and child custody arrangements. I am a firm believer that you need the know the view from the other side of the fence before you can fully decide whether or not you want to divorce.

If you ultimately decide to move forward with ending your marriage, it is important to be prepared for the process ahead and start to envision life after divorce. Understanding the reasons behind the separation can provide clarity and a path toward personal growth and future happiness.