There’s one sign already – clicking on this blog post. If you’re considering divorce, you probably have the following thoughts: whether or not it’s the right decision, how your children will fare, how to rediscover yourself, where to live, etc. There’s a lot to figure out once you decide to go through with divorce, but you first have to decide to file for a dissolution of marriage.
If you’re unsure whether or not you should get a divorce, keep reading as we discuss five signs you might be headed for one. Every case is unique, and no two are the same, but the signs of an impending divorce are almost always the same.
1. Lack of Intimacy
Intimacy doesn’t always mean the physicality of it; emotional intimacy is equally as important. Ideally, you and your spouse are each other’s best friends, always choosing to comfort and share intimate emotions. Intimacy is what makes a couple so bonded and connected. Now, imagine the intimacy has faded – what are you left with?
If you notice a lack of intimacy from your spouse or even yourself, it might be a sign you’re headed for divorce. If your intimacy has been lacking long-term, you may feel distant from your spouse. Relationships, especially our closest ones, rely on intimacy to connect and strengthen a bond. When intimacy is lacking, it also affects the physical bond in a relationship.
According to BetterHelp, an online therapy provider, a relationship that lacks intimacy can lead to resentment, loneliness, and disconnection. It takes two to build intimacy, and if neither of you is putting in the effort, it may be a sign you’re headed for divorce.
2. Communication Issues
You hear it often, but it can never be stressed enough- communication is paramount to any successful relationship, including a marriage. Communication is how we relay our feelings, thoughts, and emotions to our spouse. It’s also how we successfully reconcile after a disagreement, an important aspect of any relationship.
A marriage without communication wouldn’t have spouses sharing their day-to-day experiences, emotions, thoughts, dreams, worries, etc. Couples also wouldn’t be able to express concerns in their marriage, which is probably why they feel so distant.
Communication issues in a marriage could include failure to resolve conflict, a lack of non-verbal communication, never listening to one another, blaming one another, frequent arguments, etc. You can improve communication, but if you and your spouse choose not to and have no desire to, it’s probably a sign you’re headed for divorce.
3. Lack of Respect
Any strong relationship in our lives should include some form of respect. You have respect for your closest friends, close family members, children, and some co-workers, but do you have respect for your spouse? If your answer is no, it may be a sign you’re headed for divorce.
A lack of respect is a bad sign in any relationship, especially a marriage. To thrive in a marriage, each spouse must respect one another to have a meaningful, deep connection. Failing to respect one another can lead to resentment, irritability, lack of communication, and other issues that negatively impact a marriage.
4. Choosing to Avoid One Another
When you first entered your relationship with your spouse, you probably wanted to spend every waking moment with them. Those butterflies you felt were fluttering, and you couldn’t wait to see them again after parting ways. While you’re past the honeymoon phase, you both should still choose to spend time with one another when faced with the choice to or not.
Avoiding one another can be detrimental when it comes to your marriage. Choosing to go out of your way to avoid one another means you do not want to spend time together. Lack of quality time together has a domino effect; it leads to a lack of communication, a lack of intimacy, etc.
5. Detachment
Have you chosen to detach yourself from your spouse? Have they started to pull away from you? Examples could include never listening to you, not engaging in conversation, making other plans that don’t involve you, plus more. Detachment is a sign you may be headed for divorce, especially if neither of you choose to resolve it.
Are you unsure if you or your spouse is emotionally detached from your marriage? Here are some signs that you or your spouse are emotionally detached:
- Loss of interest in one another
- No support from one another
- Loneliness
- No affection
- Secretive behavior
If you or your spouse are showing any of the signs above, it may be a sign you’re headed for divorce.
Of course, marriage conflicts can be resolved if both parties are willing to put in the work to save the marriage. If you and your spouse check any of the warning signs above and fail to improve your relationship or choose not to, you may be headed for divorce.
If you’re contemplating divorce or need help with a modification action or child custody, the Law Office of Young, Kuhl & Frick, LLC can help. We’re dedicated to the practice of family law and can help guide you through the entire process. Our office is in Lee’s Summit, Missouri. In addition to our physical location, our firm’s family and divorce attorneys have practiced in Jackson, Clay, Cass, Lafayette, and Platte County, Missouri. Contact our family law firm today to schedule a consultation – we can meet in person or via Zoom.
With over fifty-three years of combined legal experience, our family law firm is comprised of a team skilled in negotiation and litigation, handling family law matters from the most complex to the most straightforward. Our zealous team of attorneys will handle your case with expert knowledge and professionalism.