You can’t always predict divorce. Just the same, you may find it helpful to understand the potential reasons and warning signs that divorce is imminent, which can allow you to begin preparing for your divorce as soon as you can.
Even an amicable divorce is going to send advance warning signals. You do not have to wait for your partner to file the papers to begin getting everything in order for yourself.
Everyone has their own reasons for ending a marriage
Before we delve into some of the main reasons for divorce, please note that everyone’s situation is different. Even if none of this sounds like your marriage, that doesn’t mean you’re not going to split up. It’s just that every relationship is different, so you have to consider what makes yours unique.
With that mindset, here are some of the most common reasons for divorce that American couples cite every year:
- Financial issues
- Infidelity
- Stress
- Addiction and substance abuse
- Domestic violence
In a lot of cases, these issues do not exist in a vacuum. They are, rather, the “final straw” in an already rocky relationship. Someone may be dealing with financial stress for years while trying to keep the relationship together when their spouse becomes verbally abusive. That’s the event that pushes them to seek a divorce and a fresh start, but those years of financial stress also play a role.
Learning what to do next when divorce is on the horizon
Once you decide to get divorced, you have to decide what path to take. Mediation is one way to work on your divorce details outside of court, which many couples find preferable. Just take the time to think through all of your options carefully.