It can be helpful to identify when a marriage is likely headed for divorce. If you know that your marriage is likely going to end, you can begin to plan, gather documentation, look into your legal options and otherwise prepare to safeguard your interests moving forward.
How can you know if divorce is coming? Every situation is unique, but there are often clear red flags or reasons why a divorce eventually takes place. Understanding why it could happen can help you plan for your future.
7 common reasons
There are numerous reasons why marriages end in divorce. Seven of the top reasons for divorce are as follows:
- Communication Problems: Ineffective communication can lead to confusion, misunderstandings, resentment and an inability to work through or resolve marital conflicts.
- Infidelity or Cheating: Extramarital affairs and a breach of trust can cause irreparable damage to a marriage, leading to divorce.
- Financial Issues: Financial irresponsibility, disagreements over money, overwhelming debt or differing financial priorities can lead to a divorce.
- Lack of Intimacy or Incompatibility: A decline in emotional or physical intimacy, or fundamental differences in values, interests or long-term goals can cause dissatisfaction and contribute to the breakdown of a marriage.
- Substance Abuse: Drug or alcohol addiction can significantly impact a marriage, leading to breakdowns in trust, communication and overall stability.
- Growing Apart: Over time, couples may grow in different directions, resulting in a loss of connection and emotional closeness. This is one reason why those who get married at a young age have higher divorce odds.
- External Stressors: Outside pressures such as job loss, illness, extended family issues or major life changes can place strain on a marriage and contribute to divorce. When life itself is stressful, that can have an impact on a marriage.
Of course, each relationship is unique, and the reasons that couples get divorced can vary widely from one to another. Oftentimes, divorces result from a combination of several factors rather than just being the result of a single root cause. Additionally, couples may seek divorce for reasons not listed here, as the complexities of relationships and individual circumstances vary significantly. But no matter why it happens, if you find yourself in this position, it’s important to carefully consider your legal options so that you can safeguard your interests as you move forward.
