In the United States, 40 to 50 percent of marriages end in divorce. Couples end their marriages for a variety of reasons, but researchers have pinpointed three leading causes, in particular.
1.) Incompatibility. Believe it or not, incompatibility is the leading cause of divorce here in America. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines incompatible as being “incapable of association or harmonious coexistence.” Some of the most common causes of incompatibility include religious differences, different opinions on child-rearing and varying personal interests. Many couples don’t consider or recognize these factors until after they’ve already said their “I dos.”
2.) Infidelity. This one’s pretty obvious. Infidelity introduces significant trust issues and bad feelings. It isn’t just physical infidelity that presents problems, though. Thanks to the rise of the Internet and social media platforms, a growing number of Americans are falling into cyber infidelity or relationships that occur outside of the marriage conducted via text, email or video chat. Here’s a great article from Psychology Today on this very topic.
3.) Money problems. Do you and your spouse regularly argue about your budget? If so, you aren’t alone. Research shows that 22% of divorces occur as a result of money problems. Even more interesting is that research suggests an extra $500 in income per month is usually enough to prevent a divorce from happening in the first place. Taking the time to sit down with your spouse and discuss finances might be one step toward strengthen a relationship before considering divorce.
Divorce is never easy or ideal, but it happens every day. If you and your spouse have decided to terminate your marriage, you probably have lots of questions. We can work with you and your legal team to better prepare for the future. Request a consultation by calling (985) 674-1120 today.