Helping Clients With Divorce
& Family Law for More Than 25 Years.
A Firm Focused on Divorce and Family Law.
& Family Law for More Than 25 Years.
A Firm Focused on Divorce and Family Law.
Seven Common Reasons for Divorce in the United States
On some level, there are as many different scenarios that lead to divorce proceedings as there are married couples in the United States. With that said, there are some more commonplace underlying reasons for divorce. Seven of the more frequently occurring reasons underpinning a divorce are.
- Irreconcilable differences
- Financial issues
- Lack of intimacy
- Cheating or infidelity
- Continuous conflict
- Domestic abuse
- Communication issues
Irreconcilable Differences
On some level, the idea of irreconcilable differences leading to divorce is something of a comprehensive catchall for a couple that no longer can stay wed. Indeed, irreconcilable differences represent the grounds for no-fault divorce across the country.
While not trying to sound overly simplistic, it is fair to say a married couple “cannot get along.” Noting that, irreconcilable differences really mean something more than an inability to “get along.” Irreconcilable differences are challenges that exist between spouses that are so serious that the ends of marriage can no longer be satisfied.
Financial Issues
Time and again, people heading to divorce court are doing so because of financial issues that have arisen during the course of the marriage. Financial issues can and do take many forms. They literally run the proverbial gambit, from situations involving a lack of money to couples at loggerheads arising out of conflicts associated with managing wealth.
Financial issues include disputes over how money should be spent, perpetual arguments centering on spending too much money, and even problems associated with allegations that one spouse or another is hiding assets. In the end, when many couples divorce, issues surrounding money can be the most contentious during marriage dissolution proceedings.
FAQ: Are there any signs that a spouse might be hiding assets (or concealing debt)?
Yes, indeed, there are some telltale signs that a spouse may be involved in concealing assets or debts. The most commonplace of these indicators are:
– Unexplained changes in financial behavior
– Unusual transfers or withdrawals
– Unusual purchases or investment
– Underreporting or delaying income
– Overpaying debts or taxes
Lack of Intimacy
Yet another reason for divorce is a lack of intimacy between spouses. There are cases in which intimacy issues persist from the beginning of a marriage or proceeded the nuptials. A larger number of cases arise from situations in which intimacy issues develop over time after a couple marries.
Cheating or Infidelity
Cheating or infidelity represents another of the more common reasons for divorce. This includes situations in which a spouse ends up involved in a significant intimate relationship with a person beyond the marriage. It also includes situations in which a spouse has a proverbial “one-night stand” or some other type of more transient affair or episode of extramarital sex.
FAQ: Are there any types of telltale signs that a spouse may be having an affair?
Many, many people are highly adept at hiding their infidelity. Nonetheless, these are some fairly common indicators that a spouse may be cheating. These include:
– Changes in behavior
– Changes in schedule
– Changes in appearance
– Secrecy around devices (smartphones and so forth)
– Financial irregularities
– Altered sexual behavior
Continuous Conflict
Somewhat related to irreconcilable differences is something known as continuous conflict between spouses. Some people involved in marriage and divorce might classified this as a bit different from irreconcilable differences because irreconcilable difference includes a variety of factors dooming a marriage, sometimes including continuous conflict.
Examples of persistent conflict that can fatally damage a marriage are extensive. These examples of persistent conflict that are reasons for divorce include:
- Disputes over money
- Disagreements regarding children
- Issues arising from relationships with in-laws and other relatives
- Conflicts over work and employment
- Issues surrounding leisure time
- Arguments arising from a spouse’s friends and associates
- Issues surrounding alcohol or drug use
Domestic Abuse
Domestic abuse is a major problem among married people in the United States. This includes physical, psychological, emotional, and financial abuse.
Domestic abuse is one of the more frequently cited reasons for divorce. Marriage dissolution cases tend to be particularly emotionally charged. Oddly, they also often are marriage dissolution proceedings in which spouses go back and forth regarding proceeding with a case, including the spouse who is the target of domestic abuse.
Communication Issues
Finally, in considering the most common reasons for divorce for people in the United States, communication issues are on the list of the top seven. Communication issues oftentimes do not stand alone as a primary reason for divorce. The stark reality is that a breakdown in marital communications leads to other serious problems as well, including issues with intimacy, financial disputes, continuous conflict, and irreconcilable differences.
FAQ: Is marriage counseling a truly viable option for people facing marital issues?
The answer to whether or not marriage counseling will work in a particular situation is not clear cut. In the grand scheme of things, there are couples who obtain lasting benefits from marital counseling … and others that simply do not. With this noted, Behavioral Couple Therapy shows success rates between 50–60 percent, according to professionals in the field.
The Mayo Clinic reports that a majority of couples who eventually do obtain marriage counseling are not particularly proactive in seeking assistance. In fact, approximately 50 percent of all couples who end up in marriage counseling wait an astounding six years after problems start to obtain professional assistance. Keep in mind that you enhance the prospects for success in this type of counseling by seeking professional assistance sooner rather than later.
These seven commonplace reasons for divorce cases underscore how likely it is for a marriage dissolution case to become contentious. When spouses retain experienced divorce attorneys, some of the direct interaction between spouses during marriage dissolution proceedings can be eliminated. This tends to have the effect of lowering the overall level of emotions in a divorce case. If you believe you have a reason for divorce and are thinking about filing for the same, call 201-845-7400.