Signs of the Times: Four Indicators That Point to Possible Divorce

 Posted on March 07, 2017 in Divorce

The road to divorce is often a subtle one, sneaking up on both parties until the undeniable dysfunction plaguing their relationship is glaring and unavoidable. Some marriages unravel over a very long period of time, while others deteriorate quickly, within the first few years of marriage.

Regardless of how long it takes for a marriage to fall apart, the signs of an impending split are usually present early on and often continue to exhibit themselves throughout the course of the marriage, although many couples are unable to spot them at first. It is not uncommon for spouses to be so wrapped up in raising their children or building their careers that they miss the red flags signaling trouble in their marriage.

Signs of Marriage Trouble

Psychology experts illuminate a common theme that tends to weave divorce red flags together: A breakdown in communication. Whether the couple ceases physical intimacy, stops talking about their day and what is happening in their day-to-day lives, or ends an argument still angry, one of the biggest indicators that your marriage is in trouble is an overall lack of communication.

Here are four important signs of problematic communication that often point to divorce:

1. Emotional withdrawal - Creating and maintaining intimacy is an integral part of a partnership. When couples are no longer talking about their feelings or showing interest in one another’s lives, this signals a breakdown of emotional engagement, indicating a larger communication problem.

2. Redirected focus - Another sign of marital trouble is when partners begin directing their focus outside the marriage, instead of expending energy on their spouse. If someone is pouring themselves into their career outside the home, into a new project, or transferring all their time and energy to their children instead of making an effort to create balance and intimacy with their partner, they are likely compensating in other areas of their life for whatever is lacking in the marriage.

3. Ongoing argument - A psychology expert reported in Business Insider that couples who end up divorcing tend to agree to disagree. Experts from Psychology Today affirm this theory, stating that couples who do not resolve conflict and leave arguments open-ended often divorce over time due to negative communication patterns.

4. Lack of affection - Physical affection is an extension of verbal communication. Through a simple touch, kiss, or hug, we communicate our feelings for one another. A withdrawal of affection is nearly always tied to a breakdown of communication on some level. If a partner shows less affection and if there is less (or non-existent) intimacy in the relationship, this is a sign that the couple may be headed for divorce.

The unraveling of a marriage is painful, no matter how mutual the agreement to end it may be. If you are beginning to see signs of trouble in your marriage and are contemplating the possibility of divorce, it is important to speak with a skilled Kane County divorce attorney to ensure you have the resources and proper legal counsel you need to begin the transition. Call the Goostree Law Group today at 630-584-4800 for a free one-on-one consultation.

Sources:

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-two-most-common-signs-of-divorce-2015-6

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/divorce-grownups/200911/the-six-signals-divorce