Divorce is a difficult process that no one ever wants to go through. Unfortunately, it happens more often than we’d like in Alabama. Knowing the top reasons for divorce in Alabama and how to avoid them can help you make sure your marriage stays strong. Talking to a contested divorce attorney in Decatur, Alabama, or anywhere else, early in the process is a great way to ensure you feel comfortable throughout the process.
Infidelity: Infidelity is typically cited as one of the top reasons for divorce. However, it is usually a symptom of an already troubled marriage. For most couples, it’s also the tipping point that signals the end of their relationship. Couples who do manage to move past one partner’s infidelity usually take the time to understand why it happened. Cheating is frequently the result of one partner feeling unnoticed and unappreciated. When one person goes outside of the relationship to get their needs met, whether it is physical or sexual, this can doom a relationship. It is very difficult to get trust back once a partner feels betrayed.
Financial Issues: If a couple is not on the same page about how the finances are going to be handled, it can lead to terrible problems. Having a hard time making ends meet or having a partner who overextends spending may cause stress in a marriage. If you’re always being asked for money, it may be a sign your partner finds financial responsibility a challenge. Couples should also strive to maintain financial stability by setting realistic budgets and working together towards shared financial goals.
Communication Breakdown: Communication is crucial in marriage and not being able to communicate effectively quickly leads to resentment and frustration for both, impacting all aspects of a marriage. It’s important for couples to communicate openly with each other about their feelings and needs so they can work together towards solutions that will benefit both parties. Practicing mindful communication to change age-old marriage mistakes can be hard, but it’s well worth the effort to improve and save your relationship.
Lack of Intimacy: Not feeling connected to your partner can quickly ruin a marriage because it leaves couples feeling as though they’re living with a stranger or more like roommates than spouses. This can be from a lack of physical or emotional intimacy and isn’t always about sex. If you are constantly giving your spouse the cold shoulder, know that it can become the ground for divorce over time. It’s important for couples to make time for each other by engaging in activities they both enjoy or going on dates regularly so they stay connected with one another emotionally. Couples should seek professional help if either partner is struggling with substance abuse or mental health issues so they can get the support they need before things escalate into a full-blown crisis situation.
Incompatibility (Compatibility Changes): As people grow older they often find that their core values and goals change greatly. When people in a relationship start to change their compatibility can often shift as well, particularly if one person changes and the other remains the same. This change in compatibility can destroy the foundation that a couple has built their relationship on. People really do change over time and sometimes that pulls them apart leaving the relationship lacking in any substance and basis at all.
If you do find yourself facing a divorce in Alabama, there are certain steps you’ll need to take depending on your situation. Generally speaking, you’ll need to meet the residency requirements of the state before filing for divorce which usually requires living there for at least six months prior to filing paperwork with the court system. You’ll also need to wait 30 days before a divorce can be finalized once all paperwork has been filed correctly with the court system.
No one ever wants their marriage to end in divorce but unfortunately it does happen. By understanding the top reasons for divorce in Alabama and how to avoid them however, couples can increase their chances of having a successful marriage that lasts a lifetime.
