There’s no one event that’s indicative that it’s time to seek divorce. Some people have a higher tolerance for marital difficulties, and some are fully committed to trying to make their marriage work at all costs. But if you’re in a toxic relationship that jeopardizes your physical or mental wellbeing, then it’s probably time to consider marriage dissolution. That said, we know that when you’re in the thick of marital difficulties it can be hard to tell when the situation has a crossed a line and rendered your marriage irretrievably broken. That’s why in this post we want to look at some factors that may be indicative that it’s time to start considering divorce.
There are a lot of marital challenges that you might face, and they certainly aren’t created equally. But here are some that may be so problematic as to justify considering divorce:
- Consistent criticism: If your spouse constantly criticizes you in a toxic way, then it might be hard for you to repair the damage that’s been done. That criticism can cut deep, making it hard to imagine staying in your marriage and thus justifying divorce considerations.
- Infidelity: Physical infidelity can destroy the trust you had for your spouse, but so, too, can financial infidelity. These trust issues can riddle a marriage with doubt and uncertainty, leaving you feeling like you’re trapped in your relationship. Divorce might give you the out that you need.
- Abuse: You need to be safe. If your marriage is riddled with domestic violence and verbal, emotional and psychological abuse, then you need to find a safe way out. Divorce can be part of that plan, but you’ll also want to think about other ways to protect yourself, such as by securing a no contact order or protective order if needed.
- Lack of intimacy: Physical, emotional and psychological intimacy can make for a strong marriage. If any of these are lacking in your relationship with your spouse, then you can be left feeling isolated in your marriage. This can result in unhappiness and a sense of despair.
- Values have changed: As time goes on, you and your spouse might develop differing values and visions of the future. When those values and visions don’t align, it can be hard for you and your spouse to build a life together. This can make it hard for you to build the life you want for yourself unless you get divorced.
- Lack of communication: There’s bound to be difficulties in your marriage. If you and your spouse can’t talk about them, then problems will continue to fester until they become a bigger issue. Also, your spouse’s unwillingness to discuss marital issues can be a sign that they’re no longer interested in maintaining the relationship.
Don’t put your health and interests at risk by remaining in a toxic marriage
Only you can evaluate your marriage and decide about whether it’s time to seek divorce. But if you’re constantly unhappy, frustrated, sad or scared, then you might want to consider your options.
And if it seems like divorce is a viable option for you, then you’ll want to fully ready yourself for the process ahead. Adequate preparation will be key to protecting your interests and securing the outcomes that you want as they relate to property division, child custody, child support and alimony. So, think through what you want out of the future and start developing the legal strategy that seeks to get you there.