As practitioners, we hear our clients express multiple concerns, or “causes,” of their intended dissolution.  While some of these causes are quite common, others might surprise you. Read on to learn more about some of the issues that may lead someone  consider ending a marriage. Sometimes, leaving a marriage is the best option for parties to maintain their mental and emotional health while moving forward in life. If you have already tried other methods to repair the relationship and are looking for your next step, it might be time to contact an Arizona family lawyer.

Addiction

Anyone who has witnessed a loved one struggling with addiction knows the toll it can take on everyone in the family. Whether it’s alcohol, drugs, gambling,  pornography, or another addiction, family relationships can be severely damaged by this behavior.

Control

This term can be defined quite broadly, but it generally refers to situations where one spouse attempts to regulate the other’s behavior, finances, or activities with criticism, threats, or even physical violence. While domestic violence is an extreme representation of control, there are other more subtle behaviors that can build up over time and leave you feeling like it’s time to leave.

Infidelity

People have different views when it comes to cheating. Some partners view a first offense as cause to end the marriage whereas others might be fed up with years of cheating behavior. It’s not always easy to determine the straw that broke the camel’s back in this situation, but feelings of hurt and loss of trust are major causes for ending a marriage.

Growing Apart

Some couples grow and evolve together over the course of the marriage, but this is not always the case. Determining that you have grown apart from your spouse is a difficult reality to face. Perhaps you have already tried for years to bring the relationship back to what it once was, but you simply do not have anything in common anymore. If you, your spouse, or both of you have changed as people and can’t seem to find that common ground, you may need to consider a meeting with an Arizona divorce lawyer.

Mental Illness

Whether it has always been part of the marriage or whether it’s a relatively new issue, it is never easy for the other partner to adapt to life with a mentally ill spouse. The challenges related to this could include unwillingness to treat it or severe symptoms. Maybe you have already tried to make things work and to support your partner as much as possible, but the time has come when you feel as if the marriage is over. If this is you, you’re not alone.

These issues can impact a marriage at any time, but you might be experiencing stronger feelings after your adult children have left the house to launch out on their own. This new allotment of time together might be difficult if there are underlying issues in the marriage. If you are trying to determine your next steps and are wondering what is involved in filing for divorce, consider contacting an Arizona family lawyer to set up an initial consultation.

 

This blog should be used for informational purposes only. It does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader and should not be construed as legal advice. If you need legal advice regarding Common Causes for Divorce or any other family law issue, please feel free to contact Sheri D. Shepard at 480.461.5300, log on to udallshumway.com, or contact an attorney in your area. Udall Shumway PLC is located in Mesa, Arizona and is a full service law firm. We assist Individuals, families, businesses, schools and municipalities in Mesa and the Phoenix/East Valley.