In the United States, nearly half of all marriages lead to divorce. While the divorce rate has steadily decreased over the past decade, the divorce rate has actually increased for couples aged 50 and higher. Younger generations are not generally not marrying as much as previous generations. But what are the reasons that so many married couples decide to turn to divorce? To find out, continue reading or contact one of our Mansfield, MA Divorce Issues Lawyers today for quality legal counseling.
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON REASONS FOR DIVORCE?
According to several polls among divorcing couples, the main cited reason for divorce was lack of commitment. This is a general issue that can lead to many other problems within a marriage. Lack of commitment doesn’t just refer to one spouse cheating on the other. This could also be showcased by a spouse avoiding working through relationship issues or financial issues. If one spouse is more invested in a marriage than the other spouse, then there’s a likely chance that the relationship will eventually fail.
The second most frequent reason for divorce is incompatibility or growing apart, which could also lead to communication issues. This is especially common for couples who get married at a young age because there’s a higher chance of them naturally growing apart as the marriage progresses. Married couples might realize they’re incompatible if they are constantly arguing or if their partner has different values. Nobody wants to be incessantly fighting in their own house, so couples might divorce if they can’t work through their differences.
WHAT ARE OTHER CAUSES OF DIVORCE?
There are many other reasons that a couple might turn to divorce. Most divorces nowadays are no-fault or uncontested, meaning both spouses agree that divorce is the best option for them. However, Massachusetts allows fault-based or contested divorces, which is when one spouse blames the other for the marriage failing. Fault-based divorces need to be handled in the courtroom, usually through litigation.
Grounds for a fault-based divorce include infidelity, abandonment, abuse, impotence, substance addiction, neglect, and imprisonment. Among these, adultery and abuse (either verbal, emotional, or physical) are the most frequently cited causes of fault-based divorces. Many couples still decide to file no-fault divorce even if their spouse is guilty of any of the grounds for a fault-based divorce. Most people don’t want to expand their pain by fighting their spouse in court, which can be an inconvenient and sometimes embarrassing process.
Are you considering divorce after reading this blog? The Law Offices of Cynthia L. Hanley is here to provide compassionate legal counseling to guide you through this difficult process. Contact us today for an initial consultation.
