Getting divorced is a major step in anyone’s life– not only does it change just about every aspect of life and cause a great deal of emotional stress, but it’s also an expensive endeavor. The difficulties that divorce can bring about might leave you wondering, what are the main causes of divorce? What would drive someone to go through that process?
The truth is, there are lots of reasons that people in Texas and elsewhere choose to dissolve their marriages. At the same time, some patterns start to emerge when you look at the main factors that motivate individuals to file for divorce.
Let’s take a closer look at what you need to know about the primary reasons people get divorced in the Lone Star State.
Marriages are incredibly complicated, so it’s important to understand that the “main cause” of any divorce is often going to be the final straw rather than the sole factor. At the same time, sometimes a marriage will end after just one clear event that drove a spouse to head to the courthouse and file their paperwork.
Just like anywhere else in the country, infidelity is a significant cause of divorce in Texas. It is often difficult for couples to recover after one has engaged in an extramarital affair, with the breach of trust being too much to bear.
According to some stats, a shocking number of married people have had affairs outside the marriage. One survey from 2018 states that 21% of men and 10% of women had sexual relationships with someone other than their spouse while they were married.
Did you know that women are more likely to initiate divorce than men in Texas? Check out our recent article that looks at six reasons why women file for divorce more often than men.
Poor communication or a breakdown in communication can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and emotional distance, which can ultimately result in divorce.
Communication is seriously the foundation of any successful relationship, so when the ability to talk to one another breaks down, the marriage often isn’t far behind.
Financial stress, disagreements about money, and economic instability can place a significant strain on a marriage, especially if this is a common culprit for fights and conflicts. Dealing with your own finances can be stressful enough, after all– trying to collaborate with someone else when it comes to making ends meet can be simply exhausting.
Problems related to substance abuse, whether alcohol or drugs, can lead to marital discord and, in some cases, divorce.
Some stats suggest that more than one-third of divorces involve a citation of substance abuse as one of the primary reasons for the split.
Though there are lots of different reasons people file for divorce, one of the most common “grounds” is irreconcilable differences or insupportability. Take a look at our recent post about what grounds of insupportability are in a Texas divorce.
Sadly, another reason that sometimes leads to divorce in Texas is domestic violence and abuse.
When you consider that this is only physical violence and doesn’t even touch upon emotional or verbal abuse, it becomes apparent why marital violence is such a common cause of divorce in Texas and elsewhere.
A lack of intimacy can result from various issues in a marriage. Still, at the end of the day, people can start to feel like their needs are not being met when physical or emotional intimacy is missing and choose to move on from the relationship.
Sometimes, individuals don’t talk about what they expect out of a marriage before tying the knot. If both spouses have different ideas about whether to have children, where to live, how to relate to money, and more, it can lead to one or both parties deciding it’s time to end the marriage.
Some experts say that it’s a major red flag for your marriage if you never argue. At the same time, fighting all the time and constantly being in a state of conflict isn’t a great sign either.
High levels of stress and constant conflict within a marriage can take a toll on the relationship; at a certain point, it can make divorce seem like the only solution.
Family pressures and cultural differences can also seriously strain a marriage. This is particularly true in cases where one or both families exert a strong influence on the decisions a couple makes about their own marriage and lives.
Serious or chronic health problems can impact a marriage, affecting the quality of life and creating additional stress. When you add in the likely component of medical bills, it becomes easy to see how health issues could cause a lot of strain in a relationship.
In some cases, people simply grow apart. They might even still have a lot of love and appreciation for one another, but they ultimately learn that they have fundamental differences in values, goals, or interests. Realizing that both spouses have changed in ways that make the relationship less tenable can lead to divorce.
Understanding the primary causes of divorce can help you keep an eye out for issues in your own marriage before they get out of hand. At the same time, seeing why others have left their spouse could help you see that it’s time for you to walk away from your relationship.
For example, it can be difficult to clearly see a loved one’s drug problem or tendency towards violence and abuse when you are in the thick of a marriage. By understanding how common these are as reasons for divorce, you could potentially realize it’s time for you to make a change, too.
If you do believe your marriage is worth fighting for, though, here are some quick tips to keep in mind as you work towards improving your relationship:
Some of the most common reasons that people get divorced in Texas include incompatibility, frequent fighting, money problems, and infidelity. Understanding the primary causes of divorce can help you get some perspective on your own marriage or potentially even persuade you to walk away from an abusive or otherwise unhealthy situation.
Through the acquisition of knowledge, you can reduce stress about what’s going to happen, how things will play out, and what you can expect. Furthermore, the more you know about divorce, the more able you are to create a positive post-divorce outcome for yourself.
Are you searching for more resources about family law in Texas? If so, make sure you check out our Texas Divorce Laws blog!
What Are Grounds of Insupportability in Texas Divorces?
Uncontested Divorce in Texas: How to Do It
Dating Before Divorce is Final in Texas: What to Watch Out For
Divorce Process in Texas: How It Works
What Percentage of Third Marriages End in Divorce in Texas?
6 Reasons Women are More Likely to Initiate Divorce in Texas
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