The details of each marriage and divorce are unique to the people involved. Generally speaking, the decision to end it often revolves around growing apart over time or losing a unified focus, such as finding purpose after the kids grow up and move out. Sometimes, it can be other cut-and-dried reasons where they are no longer a reliable and loving partner.
Seven recurring reasons
These unranked examples often cited by marriage and relationship experts:
- Infidelity: Extra-marital affairs are one of the most common reasons for divorce. They may be chronic philanderers, or the behavior may be a symptom of other underlying problems. Even if they apologize, it leads to trust issues and often ultimately dooms a marriage, even years after the transgression.
- Finances: Money and spending are common areas of disagreement among couples. While different attitudes can be addressed, unfettered spending or living beyond your means can cause a heavy strain on the marriage. Even solving it by putting one spouse in control of the bank accounts can lead to resentment and control issues.
- Physical abuse: Marriages involving physical abuse are unsafe for spouses, children and other family members. Rather than marrying a life partner who loves and supports you, their physical abuse makes it harmful and demeaning at every level.
- Emotional abuse: The bruises are not visible, but the demeaning behavior, psychological drama, belittling, and other harmful actions are still hurtful.
- Mental illness: Marriages are partnerships that should bring out the best in each other. Partners unwilling to address their depression, chemical dependency, gambling addiction, or another mental health issue can drag spouses and the entire family into that chaos. It makes it impossible to maintain a healthy relationship.
- Incapable of love: Some make good housemates, but they may be incapable of love, empathy, showing affection, sharing emotion, or uninterested in companionship.
- Lack of equity: Marriages usually have each spouse take the lead in certain areas, but one spouse dominating all elements of the marriage is not a partnership and can lead to resentment.
Do any of these issues sound familiar?
It is often challenging to make life-changing decisions, but these reasons outlined above and others are valid justifications for a spouse to file for divorce. Those with questions on where to start can speak with an experienced family law lawyer who can map out the process and help you visualize a new and better future.
