CALIFORNIA COUPLES OFTEN DIVORCE FOR THESE REASONS
No other marriage is exactly like yours; however, you may find that many spouses have gone through experiences similar to yours leading up to divorce. While it won’t take away the emotional pain of your own marital breakup, knowing you are not alone in the struggle may be of some comfort as you navigate the divorce process and try to make plans for your future that are in the best interests of your children.
Current data show there are 10 particularly common reasons people cite when they divorce. You may relate to one or all of the issues we’ll discuss here. The good news is that, no matter what exact events prompted your divorce, you can tap into local resources to help you cope with the legal implications of your situation, as well as find encouragement and support as you adapt to your new lifestyle.
Marrying for the wrong reasons
It’s easy to find yourself in a whirlwind of emotion and fuzzy feelings when you’re attracted to someone. However, this isn’t generally a good enough reason to marry him or her; yet, many people tie the knot without a full understanding of whether the intended spouse is really a good match. Some people even marry for financial reasons. Others allow political or social influence and family input to guide their decisions. Marrying for the wrong reasons greatly increases your chances for divorce.
Feeling like you can’t be yourself
It’s not uncommon to suppress little parts of your personality to appease your spouse, such as breaking a habit you have if it bothers him or her. There’s a difference between being considerate of your partner’s preferences and losing your independence. Feeling stifled in a marriage is a common cause for divorce.
Allowing parenthood to overtake romance
Having children together can be one of the most rewarding, exciting experiences of a marriage. Problems often arise, however, when one spouse becomes so focused on parenting, he or she completely neglects the marital relationship. Or, in other situations, one parent is forced to shoulder too much of the parenting burden while the other parent does very little parenting at all.
Life changes, so do people.
While most people understand going into marriage that they and their spouses will likely change over time because that’s just how life goes, some relationships are unable to withstand those changes. Perhaps a spouse who was once fiscally cautious falls into the habit of frivolous spending, causing serious financial crisis in a marriage; this can result in broken trust between the spouses, and that can be difficult to mend.
On to a new chapter in life
You and your spouse are hopefully on the same page when it comes to negotiating terms for your co-parenting plan. If you’re concerned about other issues, such as property division or spousal support, you may want to talk to a Certified Family Law Specialist (CFLS) before going to court to finalize your divorce agreement. Armed with information and goals in mind, you may be able to avoid contentious courtroom battles and achieve a fair and agreeable settlement.
