Many people grow up dreaming of a beautiful wedding and a fairytale happy ever after. When that doesn’t happen, the emotional toll can be devastating. Still, it can be just as damaging to remain in an unhealthy relationship just because of a fear of divorce.
Every relationship is unique and divorce is not something that should be taken lightly. It is a serious legal decision that can impact finances, housing and custody of children.
If you are in a marriage that has turned sour and have exhausted all efforts to improve on your end, you may be struggling with what the best path is for you. Here are a few signs that you may want to consider a divorce.
You don’t feel respected.
A lack of respect may be a sign of abuse. If your spouse has ever put you down or threatened you physically or verbally, you should remove yourself from the relationship and speak to an attorney.
Even if the relationship has not become abusive, if it is not supportive, it is not healthy.
A life partner should be the one encouraging your success, not tearing you down. If you feel a significant lack of respect that cannot be restored, it may not be worth saving.
You have trouble communicating with your spouse.
This lack of communication goes beyond missing each other’s calls or being temporarily out of contact. Plenty of couples make long distances or extended travel work in their relationship. This lack of communication is when one or both partners have gotten to a point where they do not feel like their voice matters in the relationship. If you feel like every word is either unheard or misunderstood, it can be draining.
Your relationship lacks intimacy.
A lack of physical intimacy is not an automatic grounds for divorce but it can be cause for concern. What is even more concerning is a lack of emotional intimacy. A spouse should be your trusted confidant and best friend. If you are lacking that kind of relationship it can make everything else feel lost as well.
You’ve stopped arguing.
If something doesn’t feel worth fighting for, maybe it isn’t. Or maybe you’ve fought about the same things for so often that it is no longer worth it to bring it back up. Sometimes difficult conversations come from arguments but if you are no longer willing to have those conversations, something needs to change.
Your vision for the future is different from your spouse.
You and your partner probably talked about kids, religion and jobs before getting married but over the years things change. People change. You may start to notice your dreams for the future don’t match up. This can be one of the hardest reasons for divorce to come to terms with. Sometimes good people just have different life goals and if your spouse cannot support yours you may be faced with the toughest decision.
You feel like the relationship is not a priority.
Life often gets busy but it should never feel so busy that you don’t have time for your spouse. You want a partner, not a roommate. If there are other people or things that are taking priority over your relationship this can be an even greater sign of trouble.
Your relationship is causing significant stress.
If you have found yourself spending a ridiculous amount of time stressing about whether or not your marriage is working or trying hundreds of techniques to bring back the spark and still come up empty, sometimes you may find you are happier when you let it go.
If you are considering divorce, we can help. We will discuss your reasons and your options for moving forward. Divorce is not an easy process but there are times when it is necessary for creating a life you are truly proud of.
Pangerl Law Firm P.L.L.C. focuses on divorce, child custody, mother’s and father’s rights, child support, and all other areas of family law, as well as personal injury claims. Our office is located in Deer Valley and serves the greater Phoenix area, including the communities of Scottsdale, Peoria, Glendale, Cave Creek, Avondale, Goodyear, Surprise, Mesa, Tempe, Anthem, New River, North Phoenix and Phoenix. For more information, call: 602-942-6200.