Why Do Most Couples Get Divorced?
Just as there are a nearly infinite number of reasons couples choose to spend their lives together, there are countless reasons that couples divorce. Sometimes the divorce is amicable, and both spouses know that they would be better off not married. Others times only one of the spouses wants to end the relationship, and the other is left devastated and confused. If you are planning to get divorced, you should know that no two divorces look the same. Everyone brings their own set of unique circumstances and needs to the table when a marriage ends. Read on to learn about the most common reasons couples get divorced and what the legal grounds for divorce are in Illinois.
Infidelity Is a Common Cause of Marital Breakdown
Many people can point to an affair as the beginning of the end of their marriage. A good amount of affairs begin online. The world is more connected than ever before thanks to social media like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn. Thirty years ago, people who lost touch with their old high school sweetheart rarely saw them again – save perhaps for the odd high school reunion. However, in today’s world, reconnecting with an old flame is as simple as clicking a button. As Americans spend more and more time at work, the likelihood of a work affair increases as well.
Financial Disagreements and Stress Build Up Over Time
Unsurprisingly, many couples cite finances as the main cause of stress in their relationship. Arguments can easily spring up when spouses differ in the way that they handle money. Often, one spouse is the spendthrift while the other is the miser. This can lead to frequent quarrels about finances which eventually break down the marriage.
Substance Abuse and Addiction Issues
Drug addiction has never been a more serious concern than in the last few decades. Estimates place the number of Americans addicted to powerful opioids like OxyContin, heroin, and hydrocodone at about 30 million. Addictions often lead to betrayal and deceit and can have a shattering effect on a marriage.
Irreconcilable Differences is the Only Grounds for Divorce in Illinois
Before the mid-1980s, Illinois couples getting divorced would have to record a reason or “grounds” for getting divorced. Beginning in 1984, Illinois lawmakers allowed couples to use the no-fault grounds of irreconcilable differences but the maintained fault-based divorce as an option. This antiquated alternative was stricken from the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act in 2016. If you get divorced in Illinois now, you will only have one choice as to the reason you are ending the marriage: irreconcilable differences.
Speak With an Experienced Divorce Lawyer for Help
The knowledgeable Geneva family law attorneys at The Law Offices of Douglas B. Warlick & Associates are here to provide quality legal guidance throughout the divorce process. Call 630-232-9700 to schedule a confidential consultation at our firm today.
Sources:
https://www.today.com/health/why-couples-get-divorced-t117476
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?ActID=2086&ChapterID=59&SeqStart=3700000&SeqEnd=5200000
