Maybe you’re wondering whether or not it’s time to end your marriage. Although you’re the only person who can make that decision, it’s important to take as much time as you need to really consider whether or not divorce is for you. In today’s world, it’s not uncommon for people to rush into a divorce even though that may not be the solution they’re hoping it will be. Though we’re a family law firm, we’re not necessarily pro-divorce. At CoilLaw, we recognize that each person is going to have their own unique situation and divorce may not be the best option for everyone. If you’re trying to decide whether or not you should file for divorce, we’ve got five signs you may want to consider divorce.
Your Spouse Is Abusing You
There’s no excuse for someone physically abusing their spouse. However, physical abuse isn’t the only kind of abuse. Around half of the population (both men and women) experience emotional abuse at some point in their life. The effects emotional abuse can have on a person are devastating. Unfortunately, many victims of emotional abuse are manipulated into thinking that their abuser’s actions aren’t abusive or inappropriate since there’s no physical abuse. Financial abuse and sexual abuse are also prevalent in today’s society. If your spouse is abusing you, it is likely in your best interest to leave. People with abusive behaviors and tendencies are not likely to change without professional treatment and even then they may not change.
Your Spouse Is Abusing Your Children
If you know or suspect your spouse is abusing your children, the time to act is now. If you are certain your child is being abused by your spouse, you may want to leave as soon as you safely can. However, if you have concerns about your child being abused by your spouse, it’s important that you listen to and document everything your child has to say along with any symptoms of abuse. Do not attempt to question your child as young children are susceptible to leading questions and suggestive questioning. Make sure your child is evaluated by a medical professional such as a doctor or a psychologist to determine whether or not abuse is occurring or has occurred.
Your Spouse Is Cheating
It is absolutely possible for couples to reconcile after infidelity. In fact, there have been studies that suggest marriages that have survived infidelity are stronger after the affair than they were before the affair. However, that’s not always the case; many marriages are irreparably damaged after an affair. Although it may be possible to save your marriage if your spouse is cheating on you, it’s going to depend on your circumstances. If the spouse who cheated is unwilling to work on the marriage, or leave the person they’re cheating on you with, it may be a sign that your spouse is unwilling to change their ways. This may be particularly true in the case of serial infidelity. If the aforementioned applies to your situation, it may be worth considering whether or not divorce is right for you.
Your Spouse Has an Active Addiction
Many couples do survive all sorts of addictions, and some marriages even come out stronger because of the challenges the couple has worked through together. This unfortunately doesn’t apply to every story: if your spouse is unwilling to admit they have a problem, unwilling to work on the addiction, or the addiction puts you and your children in harm’s way, it may be time to end the marriage. In a lot of cases, addiction causes people to behave in ways they normally wouldn’t behave. They may lie to their families, steal from their families, or financially drain the family’s finances because of the addiction. In a marriage with children the parent without addiction may have children removed from their care for failing to protect them from their spouse’s addictions. Although addiction can be treated, and there are many success stories, the only person who can make the necessary changes is your spouse. If your spouse is suffering from an addiction, and they’re unwilling or unable to address the problem, there’s not much you can do to make them change and it may be necessary to separate yourself to protect your children.
Your Mental Health Is Suffering
If your mental health is continuously suffering because of your spouse, their behavior, and problems with the marriage, you may want to re-evaluate your marriage. It’s normal for marriages to go through rough patches. But there should be an end in sight. If you’re starting to become depressed because of the emotional stress associated with your marriage, and your spouse is refusing to communicate with you or work on the issues that are upsetting you, it may be time to evaluate what you want from the marriage. Both marital counseling and individual counseling can help you decide whether or not your marriage is holding you back.
When You’re Ready to File
If you’re ready to file for divorce, CoilLaw is here for you. Our experienced attorneys are experts on all the nuances of family law. Going through the divorce process can be overwhelming and exhausting. But you don’t have to go through it alone. In fact, having legal representation can be a crucial part of securing the best outcome after divorce. If you’re ready to file for divorce, contact CoilLaw today.
