When to Take the Leap and File for Divorce

Considering Divorce

Everyone gets married with the hope that it will last forever. When they recite their vows, mean them with every fiber of their being. However, research estimates that about 50% of marriages end in divorce.

You are likely aware of this statistic and don’t want your marriage to be in the %0% that doesn’t last.

Every married couple has their problems. They fight, they disagree, and sometimes they may even have doubts about their relationship. All of this is entirely normal and healthy, so long as each spouse is happy being married to their partner for the most part.

Yet, some couples may find that peaceful, happy moments in their marriage are dwindling to few and far between. They may think about divorce more and more often until it consumes them.

If this sounds like you, it may be time to consider filing for divorce seriously.

When to File for Divorce

Deciding to set the divorce process into motion is a big decision, and people should not make this decision on impulse.

As food for thought, consider these four things divorcees often cite as the motivating factor in ending their marriage. These findings are from a survey of recent divorcees in Denmark, but they are likely replicable for divorcees in the United States.

• Lack of intimacy – Everyone knows that love eventually fades from fiery to a dull glow. At that point, couples must make a conscious effort to uphold some sense of intimacy between them. If you have tried doing so and received nothing in return, that could be a bad sign.
• Growing apart – The only guarantee in life is that things will change. Just because you envisioned your marriage lasting forever, doesn’t mean that you and your spouse won’t grow in different directions. If you and your spouse are not at all the people you were when you fell in love, it may be time to let go.
• Differing communication style – You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating: communication is critical. If you and your spouse can never seem to have a productive conversation about your needs, desires, and problems you may be having, you should seriously rethink your marriage.
• Lack of sympathy, respect, or trust – These are three essential pillars in a marriage. If you and your spouse no longer feel like a team that works together and supports one another, you may want to think if it’s worth it anymore.

Moving Forward

Choosing to get a divorce is difficult and often painful. However, if staying in the marriage seems like a worse alternative, it may be time to start cutting ties.

If you have any questions about the divorce process or would like to get started, an experienced family law attorney can provide you with legal guidance.