There is a well-known, often cited statistic that says that nearly half of all marriages will end in divorce. Breaking down the numbers can be confusing: the percentage of first marriages that end in divorce in lower than the percentage of second marriages. The divorce rate is twice what it was in the 1960s but half what it was in the 1980s, and both the divorce rate and the marriage rate in the United States are falling overall. Still, there are an estimated 3.2 out of every 1,000 people in the United States who have been divorced, and if you asked each of them what the cause of their divorce was, you’re likely to find a lot of the same answers. The five most common reasons for divorce in the United States are:

• Money – Money causes more arguments in marriage than any other element, and though the specifics of each couple’s clashes may be different, when partners can’t resolve how they handle their finances or their views about the other’s ways of spending or saving, it often leads to hostility that overrides everything else in the relationship.
• Lack of intimacy – Intimacy has to do with more than a couple having sex. It may be about a lack of affection such as hugs, holding hands, or simply expressing their love for one another. It also refers to the way that a couple relates to one another and spends time together or speak to one another.
• Infidelity – Cheating has a profound and lasting effect on a marriage. It destroys the ability for the wronged partner to feel trust in the spouse that has cheated and can infect the ability to communicate without anger or pain. Even partners that forgive cheating express disappointment and sorrow that changes the nature of the relationship.
• Abuse – Abuse is most commonly thought of as physical, but emotional and financial abuse toward a spouse, a child or any other member of the family or household can also end a marriage quickly. Abusive relationships are not healthy, and can lead to very real harm.
• Lack of compatibility – As couples spend more time and years together, their interests often diverge and they realize that they have different views or values. Over time they may come to realize that they don’t share as much with their spouse as they once thought that they did. Though differences can be celebrated, in many cases it leads to couples growing apart or disillusioned with one another.

If you are considering a divorce for any of these reasons or any other, one of our compassionate, experienced divorce attorneys can help. Contact us today to set up a time for a consultation.