- Communication breakdown is the most common cause of divorce.
- Lack of commitment, financial troubles, and infidelity are other common causes.
- Going through a divorce involves making many important decisions and should involve legal representation and financial planning.
- Mental health support can help ease stress during this difficult time.
- No single answer exists for why marriages succeed or fail, but common themes often arise that couples should look out for.
Divorce is a tough decision for couples to make. It’s not a choice that anyone takes lightly, and it’s often the result of years of issues within a relationship. That said, specific common causes of divorce tend to crop up repeatedly in many failed marriages. Let’s talk about those now.
Communication Breakdown
The number one cause of divorce is communication breakdown, whether it’s because couples can’t agree on important decisions or simply because they don’t talk openly and honestly with one another; communication breakdown leads to feelings of resentment and anger that erode the foundations of a marriage.
Also, working on communication in a marriage should be ongoing; if you and your partner can’t discuss issues openly and come to an agreement, you’re setting yourself up for failure.
Lack of Commitment
Another common cause of divorce is a lack of commitment. This can manifest itself in various ways, such as one partner being unwilling to make sacrifices for the other or both partners not putting enough effort into making the relationship work. When either or both partners are not committed to working through tough times together, the relationship becomes vulnerable and eventually fails.
Financial Troubles
Financial troubles can also be a significant contributor to divorce. When couples have different spending habits or one partner has financial problems that spill over into their marital life, tensions can quickly rise, leading them toward divorce court.
Money is often cited as one of the biggest reasons couples get divorced; if you find yourself arguing about money more than anything else with your partner, then it may be time for some serious conversations about how you handle money in your marriage.
Infidelity
Perhaps unsurprisingly, infidelity is another major cause of divorce today. While infidelity doesn’t automatically mean that a couple must end their marriage (and indeed, some couples do manage to work through their problems after an affair), it puts tremendous strain on any relationship. It can easily lead teams toward considering ending their marriage instead of trying to repair it.
Going Through Divorce
Going through a divorce can be an emotionally draining experience, and it can be challenging to know where to start. Divorce is a significant life event, and there are a lot of decisions that need to be made.
Child Custody
If a minor child is involved, experienced child custody attorneys can provide invaluable advice on the best way to handle a divorce and ensure that the rights of all parties are respected. It’s important for couples going through a divorce to understand their options when determining the best interests of any minor children involved.
Legal Representation
Having legal representation when going through a divorce is essential, as this can help ensure you make the best decisions for your future. When navigating the legal system, a lawyer can be invaluable.
They will protect your rights, explain each process step to you in detail, and ensure that all documents are correctly filed. They can also assist in negotiating any settlements or agreements related to child custody, property division, spousal support, etc.
Financial Planning
Divorce often involves major financial decisions such as dividing assets and debts, alimony payments, child support payments, taxes, etc. It is essential to have a plan for how these matters will be handled both during and after the divorce process. Working with a financial planner or accountant may be beneficial if you are unsure how best to handle these matters. Having a plan can help ease some of the stress of divorce.
Mental Health Support
Divorce is stressful, and you must manage your mental health during this difficult time. It may benefit you to seek professional help from therapists or counselors who specialize in dealing with divorce or family law issues.
If needed, support groups are available for those going through similar experiences, which can provide an additional outlet for support and comfort during this trying time.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, all marriages are unique, so there’s no single “one size fits all” answer when it comes to determining why they succeed or fail—but there are some common themes that we see over and over again when it comes to failed marriages, including lack of commitment, communication breakdowns, financial troubles and infidelity among others things.
Suppose any combination of these factors is present in your relationship. In that case, it may be time for you both to consider counseling or other options for improving your marriage before it reaches breaking point—for both of your sakes!
