Spouses may have different expectations in marriage, but when these expectations become unfulfilled, disdainfulness grows, which may ultimately lead to divorce. Couples divorce for numerous reasons. Lack of communication, constant rifts, ideological differences, resentful feelings, indifference, and unchecked widening gaps may cause unhappiness in marriage.
It is challenging to process this change as the person you quarrel with was once your most cherished lover. Spouses may also burn out emotionally and mentally due to their partner’s unrealistic expectations.
Thus, this piece discusses the typical reasons for divorce.
Table of Contents
Unfaithfulness or Extramarital Affairs
You and your spouse might have promised to be loyal to each other. However, these promises could become blurred over the years. You or your spouse might have been involved with somebody you thought was giving you affection or attention, something you dearly crave from your partner.
A study reveals that 27 percent of divorces occur due to unfaithfulness. Cheating will leave an unimaginable scar on an individual’s psyche. It erodes trust and makes victims suspicious of even their future spouses.
Disagreements on Finances
No matter the affection and love you share, you must be intentional and practical about your finances. Poor financial management may trigger rift and stress in your relationship, overshadowing the initial joy in your home.
If you have a mounting debt or your spouse is jobless, you could begin to disrespect them. Further, money issues may overwhelm you and gradually decline the love you share.
Also, if your partner is a spendthrift and you believe in savings, your marriage may begin to have issues. They are often part of midlife challenges. You could save your marriage from crashing if you mend it before it becomes complicated.
Emotional and Physical Abuse
Emotional and physical abuse is a severe issue in marriage, and it is a justifiable ground for the victim to end the union. 34 percent of breakups happen because of physical, emotional, or verbal abuse. Your partner or anyone else does not deserve a verbal, physical, or emotional attack.
The scars of physical abuse are visible, but the scars of verbal and emotional abuse are invisible yet torturous and traumatizing. The two spouses can be violent and abusive in some cases.
Communication Barriers
Sometimes, we relegate the person who should be the most crucial fellow in our lives due to our careers and love for our children. You hardly find time to bond and communicate with your partner. Some spouses can hardly remember when they last told their partners they loved them.
Taking the bond you share for granted will affect your communication. As the love diminishes, it will eventually reach a point of no return.
Act proactively so the communication gap will not be the basis of your divorce. You may involve a professional counselor to help you ignite the fire in your home.
Addictions to Toxic Substances
Drug, alcohol, and substance abuse is one of the most severe causes of divorce. Addiction can destroy a family beyond recognition. It affects your finances, children’s emotional well-being, career, and relationships.
Most addictive partners often steal, lie, and tend to be abusive. This irritating behavior can unsettle the home and trigger divorce.
Dissatisfied Parenting Styles
Let us assume you are a disciplinarian who does not tolerate misbehavior from kids, but your partner is pleased with breaking the rules without repercussions. Children will tend to love their partner because they do not understand discipline as being caring and loving. Hence, as you work assiduously to set them on the right path, your path seems misleading.
If you do not unite with your spouse on how to raise the children, you may feel disillusioned. Without a quick intervention, things may slide into separation or divorce.
Lack of Intimacy
Physical affection sustains marriage. When you begin to deny your partner sex, hugs, and kisses, you are setting your marriage up for failure.
Lack of intimacy creates an unimaginable marital gap. You or your partner may become angry and distant. After complaining for a while, the situation will drift into silence. That is why taking action before everything snowballs into disintegration is essential.
Shedding Light on the Legal Grounds for Divorce
The court may not grant your divorce because you are tired of living with your partner. You must prove irreconcilable differences in your union before the court can approve your request.
There are different divorce laws across countries and provinces. However, some reasons resonate across borders. For instance, there are two broad categories or legal grounds for divorce in North America, “No-fault” and “For-fault.”
No-Fault Grounds
This reason does not blame any partner for the lost love. The two grounds of no-fault are:
Irretrievable Breakdown
The two parties agree to separate lawfully. You will mutually decide on custody, support, property sharing, and other crucial issues.
Separation for a Year
You can divorce with mutual consent if you live separately from your partner for a year. It does not necessarily mean living in different locations; you can stay in the same shelter and live like strangers. However, it may be challenging to prove the latter scenario in court.
For-Fault Grounds
The couple blames each other for the irreconcilable issues in the marriage. The legal reasons for for-fault breakup include:
Imprisonment or Desertion
Desertion is a reason for divorce if your partner has abandoned you or has left home for more than one year. You can also bid for divorce if your spouse has been serving jail time for five or more years
Adultery
You can divorce your partner for engaging in extramarital affairs. However, the court may not honor your request if you knew about the adulterous act but continued to have a relationship with your spouse, cheated on them, or encouraged them into the act.
“Adultery is challenging to establish in court. You need a witness to support your narrative for your testimony to be acceptable,” says family attorney Paul Riley of The Riley Divorce & Family Law Firm.
Separation for Two Years
You can get divorced if you have separated from your partner for two or more years, even if your spouse disapproves.
Cruelty
Abuse and violence in marriage can be reasons for divorce. You can tell the court that your partner has been abusive, cruel, inhumane, and violent toward you. Forceful sex is also a cruel act.
However, you must be prepared to show evidence because your spouse will contest the divorce.
Health Conditions
Insanity and impotence can be grounds for marriage dissolution. If your spouse did not tell you they were impotent before marriage, you can divorce them if you eventually know.
Conclusion
Divorce is a complex and demanding process. Put your marriage first to avoid the countless dramas that come with divorce. However, if you can no longer help your marriage, you need an outstanding divorce attorney.
The lawyer will prioritize your interests and help you bear the emotional and physical burden of the process.
