If you’ve found your way to our blog, then you’re probably considering divorce. It’s a big decision that can have a tremendous impact on your life going forward. While marriage dissolution can mark the emotional end of a relationship that you thought would last forever, it can also be a significant financial transaction that reshapes your stability for a long time to come.
Given the stress and uncertainty associated with the divorce process, you’re might be hesitant to move forward. After all, how do you know if your marriage is just going through a rough patch or if it’s really time to bring the relationship to an end?
Signs that it might be time to pursue divorce
Married couples get through rockiness all the time. But if you’re experiencing any of the following, then you should take a closer look at your situation, as it might be the right time to seek divorce:
- Avoidance: Sure, you’re supposed to spend quality time together with your spouse, but even when there’s tension in the relationship, you and your spouse should be able to talk about it to try to resolve it. If you and your spouse simply avoid each other, though, then it might be a sign that your relationship is crumbling.
- Lack of intimacy: You and your spouse should be able to share your dreams for the future and talk about your greatest fears. This emotional intimacy, along with physical intimacy, can be crucial to your marriage. But if you and your spouse can’t be intimate with each other, then there’s a lack of engagement in the marriage that may warrant divorce.
- Arguments focused on winning: Arguments are a part of nearly every relationship. Healthy disagreements focus on finding resolution while preserving the relationship. But if your arguments with your spouse result in finger pointing, hurtful statements, and a focus on “winning” the argument, then there’s a certain amount of toxicity that’s embedded in your marriage.
- You can’t be yourself: You should be most comfortable with your spouse. Therefore, if you hide your true self from them, whether out of fear or embarrassment, then your marriage isn’t providing you with the comfort and support that you need and deserve.
- Domestic violence: You deserve to be safe and secure in your marriage. If your spouse is physically, verbally, or emotionally abusive, then you need to find a way out. A safe and strategic divorce might be your best option.
- Infidelity: This is a major cause of divorce. While some marriages are able to work through it, in others trust is far too broken to rebuild. If you’re in the latter category, then it might be time to think about bringing your marriage to an end.
- Money issues: In successful marriages, spouses are often in lockstep on key issues, including money management. If you feel like your spouse has squandered away wealth or otherwise misused marital funds, then you may need to find a way to escape your marriage to protect your financial future.
Are you ready to take the next steps toward divorce?
If so, then now is the time to start educating yourself about the process as much as you can. After all, you’re bound to face disagreement on several key legal issues, including those pertaining to property division, spousal support, and child custody. But by taking the time needed to thoroughly think through your situation, your divorce, and what you want from the future, you’ll be better positioned to secure the outcome that you want.
