Many spouses struggle over a decision to file for divorce in Pennsylvania. Some might wonder whether ending the marriage is the right step or if they should work on saving the union. Each individual person’s situation is different, although certain common factors might move someone toward dissolution.
Divorce factors
Certain behaviors from one spouse could be so egregious that divorce seems almost unavoidable. When one partner commits adultery or becomes addicted to drugs or alcohol, the marriage may fall apart. The same could occur when a spouse engages in financially risky endeavors, such as gambling or high-risk investments, threatening retirement savings.
Spouses that verbally abuse a spouse and subject them to mental cruelty may threaten their partner’s health and psychological state. Physical abuse may put someone’s life at risk, and remaining in a home with an abuser could be dangerous.
Some marriages fall apart due to irreconcilable differences. In these situations, the two spouses might grow apart for several reasons. They may no longer have anything in common, or they could have different goals in life. Empty nest syndrome may play a role. When children leave home, the bonds that connect the spouses might evaporate.
Moving forward
After careful consideration, a spouse may decide to file for divorce. Both partners may need to prepare themselves for the process and life after the final divorce decree. A newly single spouse might look at an entirely different financial situation. Asset division and spousal support could be essential elements of negotiations.
Divorce proceedings might become contentious when the parties seem apart during negotiations. While going to trial remains an option, doing so might prove costly for all parties. Both spouses might consider mediation as a way to work through their differences. Mediation could address asset division, debt handling, child support, and more. Mediation does not result in a binding agreement, but a third party’s presence could assist in negotiations.
