Being married means constantly working to strengthen and improve the relationship; however, there sometimes comes a point when you know that the union is over. You know that there isn’t any hope for turning things around. Once you come to that realization, you will likely determine that a divorce is in order.
There are some signs that you can watch for that signal that the relationship is deteriorating to the point that all hope is lost. If you catch these early, you might be able to save the marriage if you want to.
Pay attention to how you and your spouse react when there is an argument. If either party stonewalls the other one, the marriage is in trouble. This could be something as simple as grabbing your phone when things go downhill instead of standing up and fighting for the marriage.
Watch for feelings of contempt, which go far beyond being angry. When you feel contempt for your spouse, you might begin to think that they are beneath you instead of being your equal. Contempt means that you have essentially closed yourself off from your spouse, which doesn’t leave room for working on the marriage.
Constant criticism is another sign that a marriage is in trouble. Nobody should have to deal with a partner who only criticizes them. A healthy marriage will still involve some criticism; however, there is also positive points mixed into the criticism.
When you know the marriage is over, you need to ensure that you learn about your rights and responsibilities for divorce. Working with a team who can help you protect those enables you to move toward a settlement that is in your best interests.