5 Clear Signs It’s Time to File for Divorce

Disclaimer: This is not about my own situation, I’m happily married!

The reality is that ‘till death do us part’ doesn’t always mean that. There may come a time when you realize that you don’t want to spend the rest of your life with the person you married. It doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t love them, but your relationship is now beyond repair. There is also often no single defining moment for this realization, but there are normally plenty of clear signs: 

You’re Experiencing the Same Problems with No Resolution

Now could be the right time to contact trusted Maine family law attorneys when you realize that you’ve been having the same core conflicts for several months or even years, with no real progress, change of views, or resolution. 

For example, you might feel as though your spouse isn’t helping around the house to keep it spotless, and you’re shouldering the burden of running your household alone. You’ve tried countless times to discuss this problem with them, but you’re no further ahead. This is not necessarily a reason to divorce on its own, but it can be a warning sign. 

You Don’t Have Healthy Communication

Reasons for divorce can be complicated and multifaceted. However, there’s one reason that’s offered up time and time again: communication. In fact, in a study of 40 divorced individuals, 70% of the wives and 59% of the husbands cited communication as a problem. 

Broken and hostile communication can take its toll. When conversations quickly turn into fights, you don’t feel heard, and one or both of you avoid talking altogether, this can be an alarm bell of a relationship that’s breaking down. 

Emotional Disconnection

There doesn’t necessarily have to be any ‘fireworks’ moment for you to realize you’re considering a divorce. You can suddenly realize that there is major emotional disconnection in your relationship.

For example, you might feel lonely in the relationship, even though you’re with your significant other every day. You might also realize there’s no longer any warmth, intimacy, or affection. It’s often harder to rebuild from emotional distance than a major disagreement. 

There’s Ongoing Harm

Separation, followed by divorce is often in a couple’s best interests when there is ongoing harm to one or both parties. In the case of control, fear, manipulation, or abuse of any kind, leaving the spouse isn’t just a recommendation, it’s often crucial for safety. 

Leaving safely can require planning. Build a support network, prepare essentials in advance, and plan where you’ll go. It’s also crucial to have an exit plan for urgent situations and think about legal protection if required, such as protection orders and custody arrangements. 

You’ve Already Tried to Fix it 

When one or both spouses realize that their marriage isn’t as healthy as it used to be, they often have honest conversations about it and try changing behaviors. Depending on the severity of the situation and the willingness of both parties to fix the problem, they may even try couples counseling. However, if you’ve noticed no meaningful improvements, and the same problems still arise, divorce is often the natural next step. 

Not everyone has a single event that causes them to file to divorce. Instead, there can be several smaller situations, warning signs, and alarm bells. If you relate to any of these situations above, it may be time to speak to a legal professional about your divorce options.