There are many reasons why Illinois marriages end in divorce. Each relationship is different and unique. Sometimes marriages end because of issues like infidelity, physical or emotional abuse, or drug or alcohol problems. Others end because over time the couple realizes that they are not seeing eye-to-eye on important issues and cannot reconcile their differences. However, while every relationship is different, there are some underlying reasons why many marriages end in divorce.
One of these is poor communication. A recent study found that poor communication is the number one reason for divorce. For example, men’s biggest complaint in the study was that their wives nag or complain too much, while women’s biggest complaint is that their husbands do not validate their feelings. A professor from the University of Washington also stated that the four major communication problems couples have are “criticism of partners’ personality, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling (the refusal to communicate at all).”
When a couple reaches the point of divorce, whether it is due to poor communication or any other problem, there are many issues that need to be resolved. The couple must deal with property division, alimony, dividing debt and bank accounts, splitting retirement accounts, possibly dealing with dividing family businesses and other financial issues. If the couple has children they must also deal with both legal and physical child custody, child support and parenting time. This can be a very complicated and time consuming process, particularly when a couple already has communication problems.
However, these are decisions that either need to be agreed to by the couple or decided by a judge. Experienced attorneys understand the decisions that need to be resolved and can help guide Illinois residents through the process.
Source: Huffington Post, “Poor communication is the #1 reason couples split up: survey” Nov. 20, 2013