• 30
  • September
    2011

There are many reasons why Denver couples choose to divorce. In a recent post, we discussed how many couples have decided to divorce simply because their marriage fizzled. These couples acknowledge that they have grown apart and they are able to reach an agreement to divorce with little conflict or resistance.

But splitting up is not always smooth sailing. In some cases, the decision to divorce may be a difficult one to make, especially if the decision raises intense conflict between spouses. In a recent survey conducted in the U.S. by GFK Roper, over a third of the individuals polled said that physical or verbal abuse were the contributing factors in their decision to divorce.

The September study polled more than 1,500 men and women. Participants were asked to discuss the issues they faced during marriage and what the leading causes were for divorce. Thirty-six percent of those polled said that domestic violence was the main cause for divorce. Other factors that contributed toward the decision to divorce were: financial issues, sexual issues, conflict regarding raising children, boredom and religious differences.

Although many may be surprised to learn that more than a third of the individuals polled had experienced abuse, the CEO of the National Domestic Violence Hotline commented that abuse can take many forms. Some forms of family violence include: physical abuse, preventing a spouse from doing something he or she wants to do, threatening to harm a spouse or child and depriving a spouse or child from necessities such as food.

Individuals who experience domestic violence may be afraid to file for divorce. They may worry that their spouse will hurt them or threaten to take all of their money. For this reason, many spouses who have suffered from domestic violence choose to work with an attorney in order to ensure the protection of their assets and the custody of their children. These individuals may have suffered pain in their marriage, but they can find healing in divorce.

Source: Kentucky.com "What makes people decide to leave? Survey reports the reasons we divorce," Michele Kimball, Sept. 22, 2011