Among the main reasons that some Texas coupled are getting a divorce are a lack of communication, a decline in trust or simply growing apart. These were among the reasons cited in a study that appeared in the Journal of Sex & Marital Therapy, prompting researchers to speculate that people are increasingly seeking emotional fulfillment in marriage. In fact, they point out that emotional and psychological reasons may have overtaken behavioral reasons, such as addiction, in prompting divorce.
A lack of love in the marriage was the reason given for a marriage ending by 47% of people. In second place, 44% said poor communication caused their divorce. In third place, people said their marriage ended because of a loss of trust or respect. Some research reports that respect is more important than love in maintaining a healthy marriage. In fourth place, people reported that they no longer shared the same goals or values despite years together.
The 2,371 participants were recently divorced and age 45 on average. For most, divorce had not been a mutual decision, with only 16% saying this had been the case. Another 44% said they had put the divorce in motion while 40% said their spouses had.
Regardless of who initiates the process, a person who is getting a divorce may have a number of decisions to make. For example, in Texas, a community property state, marital property is supposed to be divided equally. However, some couples may agree to an arrangement in which each person takes certain assets instead of splitting all assets 50/50. Parents may want to think about what kind of child custody and visitation arrangements would be in the best interests of the children. If the couple cannot agree on a plan for property division and child custody, they might have to go to court.