Top 5 Reasons for Divorce

Written by Anthony Piccirilli

There is a persistent saying: 50 percent of all marriages end in divorce. Whether or not this statistic is accurate is debated by various researchers and organizations. Some say this rate is still true, while other sources find the divorce rate peaked in the 1980s and has steadily declined. Still, others report the U.S. divorce rate is lower, yet only because fewer people are getting married overall. Whatever the actual rate of divorce in the U.S., it remains common enough and family law attorneys continuously see the same reasons for divorce.

While all individuals and marriages are unique, spouses face the same major problems revolving around communication, commonality, and trust. Individuals who decide it is time to end their marriages and move forward in life, for whatever reason, should reach out to a compassionate Pittsburgh divorce lawyer with Pittsburgh Divorce & Family Law, LLC at (412) 471-5100 to learn about their legal options.

The Top 5 Reasons for Divorce

Some of the most common reasons individuals file for divorce include:

1. Growing Apart: The Baby Boomer generation is divorcing in record numbers and has been for a few years now. One of the most common reasons given for this trend is that the spouses grew apart or were no longer in love with one another. It is an unfortunate truth that over the decades, spouses can let other things come between them. Whether it is work, hobbies, the children or caring for aging parents, many responsibilities throughout a long marriage limit the time spouses have for one another and ultimately lead them toward separate lives.

2. Cheating: It is hard to determine the rate of cheating throughout the U.S., however, infidelity consistently remains at the top of the list of reasons for divorce. What infidelity means to individuals varies. Yet whether a spouse has sexual relationships outside of the marriage or an emotional affair, behavior that is outside of the scope of the spouse’s agreed upon behavior can irreparably break the trust between them. When spouses no longer feel they can trust one another and are unable to repair this breach, divorce soon follows.

3. Money Issues: Whether spouses have a significant joint income or live on a limited budget, money can become a contentious issue. Spouses who do not communicate about money or share the same attitude in regard to spending and saving often find themselves at an impasse at some point in their marriage. Money often leads to divorce when one spouse causes the couple to go into debt or spend money that is needed for necessities such as the mortgage or children’s schooling.

4. Addiction: Drug and alcohol addiction puts a significant strain on marriages. According to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, 15.1 million adults over the age of 18 have alcohol use disorder. Additionally, many individuals in the U.S. are addicted to drugs such as heroin, meth, cocaine, and prescription painkillers. Opioids in particularly have led to an epidemic. As of 2015, 2 million individuals from the age of 12 and older have a substance abuse disorder involving prescription painkillers, according to the American Society of Addiction Medicine. Millions of men and women suffer from addiction, causing emotional, financial, and physical distress for themselves and their spouses. When an individual is unable to overcome addiction, it may be safer or necessary to divorce.

5. Abuse: Many men and women suffer from physical, sexual, and emotional abuse perpetrated by their significant other. National estimates find that 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men in the U.S. have experienced some form of physical violence from an intimate partner during their lives. In Pennsylvania alone, 2,498 domestic abuse survivors were helped through state domestic violence programs in 2014. More than 250 requests for services remained unmet, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Abusive relationships end in divorce when the victimized spouse has the courage and necessary resources to leave.

Call a Pittsburgh Divorce Lawyer for Advice

Divorce is often the last resort for couples. After months or years of persistent issues and attempts to reconcile as a couple, divorce may be the best way for individuals to live happy and healthy lives. It may be even more important for individuals who are parents and want to provide a stable situation for their kids. Whatever people’s reason for filing for divorce, it helps to have an understanding and skilled attorney by their side when going through this process.

Divorce attorney Anthony Piccirilli brings compassion to his family law practice. He understands no one enters into divorce lightly and that most individuals need both legal advice and sensitivity during this time.

Call a Pittsburgh divorce lawyer at Pittsburgh Divorce & Family Law, LLC at (412) 471-5100 to schedule a consultation.