Making a decision on whether your marriage is over or if it's still worth fighting for is rarely an easy choice, especially when children are involved. You may have made a recent substantial effort to salvage your marriage, but it's still not working out. So, how do you know for sure it might be time to divorce?
Many couples say they knew it was time to seek a divorce after they started noticing all the classic warning signs that eventually contributed to the end of their marriage. Of course, one of the primary warning signs is arguing over the same issues over and over again.
Many couples also say they just grow apart with separate interest that leads detachment and they just lose their love of their spouse over time. Others couples say they developed a deep resentment of their spouse that is difficult to forgive.
Of course, the beginning of the marriage is normally full of hope for the future. However, over time, you or your spouse might start to have questions about the relationship and start considering a legal separation or divorce.
But, how do you know for sure it might be time to get a divorce? What are the common signs that your marriage is in trouble? How do I know when it's time to give up on the relationship?
To give readers a better understanding of the most common signs it might be time to get a divorce, our Los Angeles family law lawyers are providing a review below.
Warning Signs of Marriage Problems
You might be currently in a situation where you are trying to remember when your marriage last felt happy. You might be at the end of your rope and looking for reasons to justify your marriage.
What warning signs should you be looking for before you decide to just close this chapter in your life and file for divorce?
Here are some common signs that your marriage could be past the point of no return:
- Communication has broken down
- Most interactions are an argument
- Lack of intimacy
- You are always unhappy
- You don't want to be around your spouse
- You find reasons to avoid your spouse
- Relationship has turned toxic and there is abuse
- You don't trust your spouse
- Your only together because of the kids
- The relationship seems like too much work
- Your thinking of a relationship with someone else
- Cheating and being unfaithful
- You can't let go of resentment
- You are living like roommates
- Your family is urging you to get a divorce
- Your priorities have changed
Let's take a closer look at some of the most important signs it could be time to get a divorce.
Communication in Marriage Has Broken Down
Clearly, the key to a healthy relationship is communication. Without it, you will not be able to resolve any issues or conflicts that are common in every marriage.
Thus, a major warning sign that it could be time to get a divorce is when communication has broken down. When there is a lack of communication, a couple can't work as a team to provide support to each other.
Without effective communication, couples can't resolve differences and conflicts. Over time, one or both spouses arrive at a point of despair and believe it's pointless to even try to resolve a disagreement.
If you are currently in a situation where you and your spouse are constantly having issues where you no longer feel you can have a conservation to resolve them, then it could be a sign it's time for a divorce.
Most Interactions are an Argument
Obviously, a happy couple will have mostly positive interactions with each other.
If you are in a situation where a large portion of your interactions with your spouse are some type of conflict or fight that must be won, then it's another warning sign your marriage is in trouble.
Constant arguments normally end in a loss of respect and a gradual withdrawal from your spouse. Negative interactions also lead to contempt, which can just kill a marriage by leading to resentment of your spouse.
If your mood instantly changes negatively when your spouse enters the same room, then no marriage can last long under these conditions.
If you have feel bitterness and anger in the vast majority of your interactions with your spouse, then it just might be time for a divorce.
Lack of Intimacy
Intimacy reinforces an emotional connection and an important part of any marriage. When couples have not had sex in a long time, it's typically a reliable indicator there is an advancing emotional disengagement that will end up in a divorce.
It's also means a married couple no longer can archive any pleasure in each other and their emotional bonds have eroded to a point that can't be recovered.
Clearly, a lack of intimacy in a marriage is another leading warning sign that it might be time for a divorce.
If you can't even remember the last time you were intimate with your spouse, then it could be a giant red flag that your marriage is in trouble.
You Are Never Happy
Every married couple will have disagreements, but most of the time everything is peaceful and you are happy.
If you dread being around your spouse and become happy after you find out they are leaving home for a few days, it's a clear warning sign something is very wrong in the marriage.
If you are never happy being around your spouse, or you are happier alone, then you have feelings that can't be ignored. If you don't address these feelings, they will build up to a point of no return that could prove fatal to your marriage.
Do you feel your spouse is critical or hostile towards you most of the time? Are you mostly unhappy whenever you are around your spouse?
Do you dread being in the same room with them? Do you just no longer care to save your marriage?
Always being unhappy is another clear warning sign that your marriage is in serious trouble and it could be time for a divorce.
Los Angeles Divorce and Family Law Lawyers
Every marriage is unique and the exact tipping point beyond which a marriage is doomed will be different.
If you are currently experiencing the common warning signs discussed above, then you should be making an attempt to engage in a conservation with your spouse. You might even consider a marriage counselor or family therapist.
If you have decided that it's time for a divorce, our law firm can help you through the California divorce process.
Our lawyers represent clients is all types of divorce related issues in California, including child custody, child support and visitation, spousal support (alimony), division of property, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements.
Furman & Zavatsky are Los Angeles divorce and family law attorneys who represent clients throughout all Southern California courtrooms, including LA County, Ventura County, Simi Valley, and the San Fernando Valley.
Our law firm is located at 15821 Ventura Blvd #690 Encino, CA 91436. Contact our office for a free case evaluation at (818) 528-3471.