Although no one walks down the aisle with the idea that their marriage won't last forever, the sad reality is that more than 20% of first marriages end in divorce within the first five years.
Still, the signs of an impending divorce aren't always crystal clear. While major fights, physical abuse, and serial infidelity are obvious prerequisites, not every separation is marked by those features. In fact, there might be some subtle signs that your marriage is in trouble.
If you have been noticing a breakdown in your marriage it may be time to look into the divorce lawyer services Houston TX clients trust. If any of the following signs sound familiar to you and you haven't been successful in improving the relationship, you may find yourself calling a divorce lawyer sooner rather than later.
You Disagree on Major Issues
While politics, parenting styles, and bank accounts may not have come up in a major way before you got married, they might now be a source of contention in your partnership. And if one partner has evolved in their way of thinking while the other has stayed steadfast -- say, about whether or not to have children or what values matter most in a political representative -- it can feel like a betrayal.
But if you're determined your thinking won't budge and that the issue will continue to play a big part in your life, this might mean you and your spouse will have to part ways. That's especially true if you or your partner will be keeping the other one from what makes them happy. While you may be able to work through some of these issues in therapy, there are certain problems that are just too big to be resolved; it may simply mean you're no longer compatible.
There's a Lack of Mutual Respect
Whether you get into shouting matches or you give each other the silent treatment, there's a real problem when one or both partners fails to respect each other. Personal criticism and verbal attacks can slowly chip away at a marriage and make everyone miserable.
Sometimes, these issues can be resolved with improved communication skills. But if too much damage has already been done or if one partner has definitive anger issues, it may be too late. Both partners deserve to feel they're being respected, even if and when disagreements occur.
No One Is Making the Effort
Relationships require constant work. They may not always be easy, but they can be rewarding. But a strong relationship is built upon both parties making equal effort. And if that isn't the case for your partnership, there may be very little you two can even work on.
If one partner is vehemently opposed to going to therapy or simply stops trying to make the relationship work, that's usually a sign that things are only going to get worse. When it becomes clear that the effort isn't being made and there's no incentive for that to improve, it's likely that a call to a
divorce lawyer
will be the next step.
There are all kinds of reasons that couples may contact a divorce lawyer. But if you aren't happy in your marriage and you've done everything possible to make it work, it may be best to take the step of making a visit to a law office. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact us today.