5 Leading Causes of Divorce in Tennessee

Just as hindsight is 20-20, former-spouses reflecting on the reasons why their marriages ended in divorce often share similar scenarios. Some say they married too young. Others escaped domestic violence or abuse. Still others were unable to recover from the behavioral patterns that diminished their relationship.

5 leading causes of divorce in Tennessee

Although not a statistical analysis, we do see commonalities across the board including these five leading causes of divorce in Tennessee:

1. Pattern of Poor Communication

Nothing interferes with cohabitation more than a lack of communication between the spouses. Good communication isn’t simply asking the other spouse “How did your day go?” over cocktails, although that may be a start. For couples to be confident that they can interact with each other freely and openly, they need to establish a pattern of listening to each other’s opinions and accepting differences. That is, they need to trust each other.

Aside from safety reasons, don’t habitually withhold information from your spouse when something is troubling you. Talk about what is personally uplifting and what is bothersome and, when your spouse has something to say, listen. It is far too easy to develop a pattern of avoiding discussions, particularly the emotional ones. Avoidance can evolve into resentment because the other spouse isn’t helping, isn’t fixing the marriage problem, whatever that may be. Talk. Listen. Build trust.

2. Enduring Financial Woes

Money troubles can keep the spouses on edge for months and years at a time, fraying nerves and wearing patience thin. Fear of owing back taxes to the IRS or Tennessee Dept. of Revenue. Worries about maintaining health care insurance for a growing family. Discussing “what if” the family home is lost to foreclosure or if bankruptcy becomes necessary. Like the bill collector’s incessant demand for payment, a lack of financial resources is capable of destroying all harmony in the home.

Every trip to the store may become an ordeal, a battle of wills over what is needed, what is affordable, and who will go without. When a new situation arises in the marriage, perhaps a child’s medical condition worsens, money troubles can really pack a one-two punch.

3. Engaging in Adulterous Relationships

Cheating does not help a couple build trust in each other and typically undermines whatever trust they once enjoyed. When life is no longer a thrill, a spouse may become bored with the constraints of marriage. The desire for consensual sex with someone new or to renew passions with a past flame sometimes becomes reality.

Stepping out may be permanent, however, as adultery is one of the 15 grounds for divorce in Tennessee. (Watch a two-minute video with Memphis divorce lawyer Miles Mason, Sr., discussing Strategy & Grounds in Tennessee Divorce.)

4. Lack of Commitment to the Marriage

Marriage is a tremendous commitment. Devotion to each other goes hand-in-hand with making a marriage work. That dedication helps couples overcome difficulties when life throws a curve ball by way of illness, injury, unemployment, or legal problems (civil or criminal), among other things. If a spouse is not truly committed to making the marriage a lasting success, then it probably won’t be.

Sometimes a spouse’s commitment to career objectives becomes more important than the marriage. Frequent travel, long workdays, weekends at the office, these can result in absent spouse syndrome. The other spouse is left to running the household, making excuses for non-appearances, and living a lonely existence (or looking elsewhere for companionship).

5. Addictions, Obsessions and Vices

A spouse’s addiction could be to any number of things, there is no shortage of vices. Drug or alcohol abuse, addiction to sex, pornography, gambling, or even obsessive online gaming can slowly destroy a marriage. When satisfying the addiction or obsession becomes the most important thing for a person, the other spouse is left out of the marital equation. Joining a spouse in the addictive behavior is seldom a solution. Having a vice in common often creates more opportunities for strife.

There are options available for couples and individuals who could benefit from marriage counseling, divorce counseling, addiction therapy, and the like. For a list of Tennessee licensed mental health professionals visit our Memphis TN Marriage & Divorce Counselors & Therapists Directory.

Memphis TN Divorce Lawyer

The Miles Mason Family Law Group handles Tennessee divorce, child support, alimony, child custody, and parent relocation. Download our free e-Book, Your First Steps: 7 Steps Planning Your Tennessee Divorce. A Memphis divorce lawyer from the Miles Mason Family Law Group can help. To schedule your confidential consultation, call us today at (901) 683-1850.