10 Common Reasons for Divorce in 2024

As the year comes to a close, it is only natural to reflect on what we learned in the last twelve months. A lot has happened in many spheres, but because we are your local collaborative divorce lawyers, we are inevitably going to be interested in the reasons behind the divorces that took place in 2024. Every divorce, dissolution or separation tells a story, and at the Law Offices Of Cara L. Santosuosso, LLC, we endeavor to understand our clients’ histories in order to find the very best outcome for their families.

Why Couples Divorce

When we get married, we focus on the joy and love we feel in the moment, not the potential for divorce in the future. In fact, it is unlikely that the thought of divorce ever even enters our minds during this time. Unfortunately though, situations change and individuals may come to feel that parting ways is best. There are many reasons why this might be true, but here are some of the more common reasons for divorce.

Communication Issues

Good communication is at the heart of any human relationship, but this is especially true in married couples. When communication fails it often leads to many of the situations we will go on to discuss. Less-than-ideal communication may not be why a person feels that divorce is best, but it is often the root cause behind the situation they are dealing with that makes divorce seem like the best option.

Lack of Commitment

Life brings challenges–that is a truth no one can avoid. When both spouses invest in the relationship and are committed to seeing each other through the rough spots, a marriage has a greater chance of surviving. However, if you feel or can clearly see that your partner is not invested in the marriage, your bond can quickly break down and it can be difficult to resolve problems. Small issues grow and become insurmountable obstacles to a marriage. A long-lived marriage typically involves a level of sacrifice and compromise, both of which are hard to come by if one or both parties are not committed.

Hasty Marriage

Whether very young couples are rushing into marriage or more mature couples have only known each other for a short time, hastily deciding to marry can rob couples of valuable time they could spend getting to know each other better. This is next to impossible to prevent though, as the rush of being in love or feeling as though they are finally understood, seen and appreciated can overshadow all else. However, after a hasty marriage, a couple may soon find that they do not agree on core values or that they differ dramatically in the essential and everyday areas of their lives. Many hasty marriages will survive and thrive, but statistics are not on these couples’ side. Potentially unrealistic expectations paired with unmet needs can ultimately lead to feelings of loneliness, resentment, and dissatisfaction.

Financial Trouble

Money problems can bring stress like almost no other worry can. Even the best relationships can crack under the pressure that financial turmoil can bring. It can bring up feelings of resentment, lead to blaming, and the resulting stress can become too much for some couples to bear. When spouses have to face an unforeseen financial hurdle together, it can have a galvanizing effect on their relations. However, when old debts are brought into the marriage, one spouse is financially unfaithful or is prone to impulse buying, closeness can deteriorate and trust can break down, leading to divorce.

Being Unfaithful

We live in a modern society that bends and breaks norms from the past. However, infidelity is still often cited as a major reason behind divorce. It is very hard and takes effort and humility to rebuild trust after it has been lost to a cheating spouse. It is possible to rebuild the relationship, but lingering resentment, jealousy, and a sense of betrayal may make this impossible.

Addiction and Substance Abuse

It is easy to understand why addiction and substance abuse can lead to divorce. Yes, the person going through the addiction needs help and support if they are going to recover, but the situation takes its toll, and it ultimately may not be in the best interest of the spouse or children for the couple to stay together. Worrying physical or emotional changes may be followed by neglected responsibilities and volatile arguments. The emotional, physical, psychological and financial toll that addiction can take on a family may be too much for a spouse to take. The resulting trust issues and never ending conflict could make divorce the sensible way out of a difficult situation. As is true of every situation surrounding divorce, deciding not to stay with a spouse who is abusing drugs or alcohol is a highly personal matter.

Differences In Culture and Religion

The richness of a person’s culture and depth of their devotion that is evidenced in their religious beliefs can be a way for a couple to get closer. Finding ways to appreciate each other’s diverse backgrounds can lead to a better sense of understanding. At the same time, it can also lead to conflict. From differing communication styles to approaches to parenting and typical gender roles in a marriage, there are countless ways that culture and religion can affect everyday life. If differences lead to conflict, and these conflicts cannot be resolved, a couple may decide that divorce is their best option to free themselves of the conflict and live as they wish. Counseling can help a couple to resolve their differences, but it may not always work. Problems can especially arise if one spouse experiences a religious awakening of sorts and decides to make a radical personal change. This dramatic shift can lead to hurt feelings and cause their spouse to withdraw, creating a rift between the two.

Domestic Violence and Abuse

Too many people of all genders are reporting that they are experiencing physical or sexual violence at the hands of an intimate partner. Stalking is also a serious problem. Intimidation, mind games, outright violence or gaslighting are all meant to tear down and control the victimized partner. The love and trust that help a marriage to survive are naturally going to be eroded to the point that the relationship can become a hollow shell of the loving partnership it once was. Living in fear and a constant state of stress is unhealthy in many ways, but it is also unfair, and no one deserves to be treated in this way. Domestic violence hotlines can get an individual in touch with professionals who can help. Divorce may be one way out, but it can bring challenges in an abusive situation.

Incompatibility

The old cliched “irreconcilable differences” as a reason for a no-fault divorce can mean many things, one of which could be a propensity to argue. Pretty much every couple argues from time to time, and in their own way–that’s just a part of human relationships as we know them. However, constant conflicts that never seem to be resolved can wear away at the foundation of even what may have been considered to be a strong marriage. The underlying causes behind the conflict need to be addressed, and counseling can help, but if both partners are not on board, the problems can persist. Hurt feelings and resentment can lead to a distanced relationship that is missing love and compassion. Couples experiencing this sort of situation may decide that divorce is their best option.

Life Circumstances

Things could be going great, and then you turn the proverbial corner and you are hit hard with an unexpected event. A serious diagnosis, employment termination or the loss of a child, parent, friend or other loved one could completely throw you off. The feelings that come up in these situations could put an irreparable strain on your marriage. It could also be the case that there were underlying issues that had been simmering for years, and the stress of this traumatic life event could cause them to boil over. Counseling and open communication can heal many wounds, but sometimes the difficulties that life brings our way make a way forward on separate paths seem to be the best option for our personal wellbeing. 

Collaborative Divorce Lawyers In Cleveland, Ohio

Divorce is not easy, but when it is handled with empathy and compassion, and when the focus is on the children and each party’s wellbeing, the outcome is inevitably better than when the aim is litigation. That said, we are always ready to go to court for our clients, but our general goal is to avoid that additional stress and trauma if possible. Either way, when you are in need of experienced and professional legal assistance for your divorce or child custody proceeding, call on the team at the Law Offices Of Cara L. Santosuosso, LLC. 

If you are considering divorce, know that you are not alone. We are always ready to help you find the best path forward for your family and will always advocate for your rights. Divorce can bring out difficult and volatile emotions, but with compassion, expertise, and respect we can help you to navigate through this trying time. From traditional divorce to collaborative divorce and mediation, child custody, spousal and child support, we have the skills, expertise and experience necessary to help you find the future you deserve. Contact our collaborative divorce lawyers to learn more about our services and to schedule your own confidential consultation. Together we can move forward.