When a divorce is anything but sudden

On behalf of Kirk Montoute Dawson LLP posted in Family Law on Friday, July 11, 2014.

There are generally two camps when it comes to separations: those who have known the relationship was over for some time and those who are utterly surprised by the separation. Although those who are surprised may not have the time to prepare for divorce, including working with a family law lawyer to better plan for the separation and to take steps to protect their rights, those who have seen the “writing on the wall” can.

There is no exact science as to what will accurately predict a divorce, but there are certain actions or behaviours that, left unchecked, tend to contribute to the end of a relationship. One of biggest may also be one of the most surprising: always putting your children first.

Many people will think that putting the children first will do nothing but improve a relationship, but it often means sacrificing your or your partner’s happiness for that of your children. It can often make parents feel as if they are cut off from their partners.

Another red flag is spending too much time away from a partner. Often this starts as socializing with and making friends separately from a partner, but this can quickly turn into weeknights or weekends spent separately socializing. This can also alienate partners.

Of course, sometimes these behaviours are correctable and they may not mean a divorce is imminent. Unfortunately, some marriages are just not salvageable. If there is cause for concern, it may be wise to speak with a family law lawyer to find out more about protecting one’s rights in case the relationship truly is dead.

Source: The Huffington Post, “9 Warning Signs Your Relationship Is Headed For Collapse,” Terry Gaspard, July 8, 2014

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