Four behaviors that are a prelude to divorce

By |2022-04-04T17:58:41+00:0005 Dec 2016|Categories: Divorce|

FOUR BEHAVIORS THAT ARE A PRELUDE TO DIVORCE

When you started out together, it seemed that you and your partner formed a perfect bond. You liked the same restaurants, films, political candidates and you rooted for the same teams. In fact, being with this person made you feel you were part of a team that could face the many challenges that marriage offers.

However, with the passing of time, maybe you’ve started feeling your spouse has become more of an adversary than a teammate. But you still remember the times of laughter and intimacy and hope those old feelings can be recovered. Perhaps they can, but right now is a good time to assess the current state of your relationship as well as the shape it will likely take moving forward.

A psychologist who has invested a great deal of time investigating the reasons that relationships falter cites four predictors of an impending divorce. The following are questions to ask yourself based on those predictors:

  • Stonewalling. Do you or your spouse try to block out one another when important or uncomfortable matters become open for discussion or argument?
  • Defensiveness. When tough situations arise, do either of you typically play the victim card?
  • Criticism. Do you or your spouse consider an annoying habit of the other as being indicative of a major character flaw?
  • Contempt. Has your partner openly displayed a superior attitude toward you or vice versa?

All marriages have some degree of tension and it is easy to get annoyed with one another for any number of reasons. But when the kinds of negative behaviors such as those listed above become predominant to the point that you feel constantly unhappy, you may want to consider the possibility that your relationship is irreparable and that a parting of the ways is best for all involved.

If you are in a quandary about the next steps to take in your life, you may want to discuss your options with an experienced family law attorney. The attorney can advise you on the divorce process and what to do in preparation should you decide it is the measure you want to take.

About the Author:

Dorie Anne Rogers - The Law Offices of Dorie A. Rogers, APC
Dorie A. Rogers, a Family Law Specialist, Certified by the State Bar of California, has been an attorney since 1981 with an exclusive family law practice located in Orange County. She is accepting dissolution cases with support and property issues including the use of forensics to ascertain business value, community interests and to establish monthly case flow analysis. Ms. Rogers has substantial experience in high conflict custody litigation involving sophisticated psychological issues. She drafts premarital and postmarital agreement designed to define and establish parties' separate and community property interests. Paternity cases and domestic violence matters are considered part of her practice. Ms. Rogers is a court-approved and court-appointed to represent minor children.Ms. Rogers consults with individuals concerned about entering or exiting a relationship. She advises effective strategies for dissolution or premarital planning. Knowledge is power and good planning affords better results.Specialties: Family Law Specialist, Certified by the State Bar of California
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