Couples in the Galveston and Houston areas divorce for many reasons, and it is difficult to pin down exactly what went wrong with a couple’s relationship.
However, one study of the effectiveness of a premarital education program identified some common themes that contribute to divorce.
- Frequently, one spouse just got the impression that the other spouse simply was not committed to continuing the marriage.
- Another common reason divorced individuals cited was infidelity. Along with domestic violence, infidelity was also many people’s “final straw” that set them on a path toward divorce.
- Another common reason was that the relationship had become so rife with conflict that one or both spouses did not want to continue it.
- Many couples stated that they married too young.
- Although less commonly mentioned, financial difficulties, trouble with drugs or alcohol, and even non-supportive relatives or religious differences made the list of reasons people divorced.
In Texas, the reason a couple is getting divorced is less important
Like almost every other state, Texas allows no-fault divorces. If they meet residency and other time requirements, either spouse can obtain a divorce simply by declaring that the marriage has broken down.
In some cases, the reasons for a divorce may impact a court’s decisions about custody or the division of property.
To give a couple of examples, a spouse with a history of domestic violence or substance abuse may have an uphill battle to get the parenting plan they want.
Although infidelity itself should not impact a divorce judgment, if a spouse spends money on their extra-marital partner, they may have to pay what they spent back so their spouse gets their appropriate share.
While reasons for a divorce vary, it is always important for a Texas resident to understand their legal options when going through one.