It all starts so well, one minute you’re dating, the next you’re saying “I do”. However, while the plan may be forever, sometimes life gets in the way of things. When couples get a divorce there are certain assumptions why the marriage may not have worked out. Rushed the romantic process? Someone cheated? Drifted apart? These are very real and common reasons for divorce. However, when you dig a little deeper there are some far weirder reasons why spouses can’t stay legally wed.
From voting choices to lack of career support, here are eight strange yet real reasons people have filed for divorce.
1. Wishy- Washy
They say you do not know someone till you live with them. For one married couple this proved too much where one partner was leaving dishes piled up by the sink. There are only so many dirty plates one can take and in this marriage it was one too many. This does raise the wider issue; like household chores and having a compatible approach to how they will be divided can be the start of a healthy marriage and a clean kitchen.
2. The Jury Said…
The world-renowned judge Judy ended her marriage for one serious reason, her husband did not take her career seriously. This reflects that supporting each other’s career choices is crucial to a loving and nurturing marriage. Constantly being put down in your relationship and not having your ambitions and work respected is not ok. Hence, Judy has made clear that will not always be tolerated.
3. Dirty Behaviour
Personal hygiene is well, personal. However, when you are in a relationship, sharing a bed and being intimate, there has to be a level of respect. For one couple, a spouse refusing to shower for weeks was too much to handle. The last thing you want is a stinky marriage so perhaps having healthy communication about cleanliness can help it scrub up nicely.
4. Pet Peeves
Arguing about pets can be a big problem in relationships. Do you want a cat or a dog? How many? Who will clean up after them? For one couple arguing about whether or not they were getting a dog was part of the reasoning behind their final divorce. Discussing what you both want for the future be it pets, assets or where you will live are conversations where there must be room for compatibility. Additionally, mutual respect is a priority, otherwise? You will go barking mad.
5. Lockdown
The pandemic from 2020 forced many couples to spend months together. Living together without the distractions of socialising, work and hobbies caused many marriages to break down. Certain behaviours became more prominent and annoying having to be around each other. This made many question whether they were still in love or of course if they ever truly were. Learning how and if you can overcome major life challenges together can make or break many relationships.
6. Anti-Social
The rise of social media has proved a challenge for many relationships. Furthermore, when it comes to marriage, boundaries have been crossed. For one couple the fact their spouse was giving more attention to social media than their relationship caused it to fall apart. That’s the thing about social media, while its success is based on connection it can cause the real life connections we have to fizzle away. One way to get the spark back is to spend less time on our phones and more time together.
7. Empty Nest
A common reason for older couples getting divorced is what is known as ‘empty nest syndrome’. When children leave they realise that they have little in common. Perhaps the reasons they fell in love are not the same or they have become different people. These divorces while sad can be done with compassion and far more amicably often leading to strong friendships that can last forever. Even if the marriage didn’t.
8. And So To Bed
Lastly, an increasingly common reason couples are filing for divorce comes from bedtime. With sleep being crucial to wellbeing, some spouses decide to have a ‘sleep divorce’. This is in pursuit of a good night’s sleep. While this seems like a good solution, and indeed can be, in some cases it can lead to emotional detachment. Let’s face it, some of us want to cuddle all night and need someone who will lie with us however loud we snore. To ensure separate beds does not lead to separation, effort and care needs to be given to how you go about it.
Also read: The Five Steps To Preparing For Divorce
Final Thoughts
Marriage can be a long and rocky road and along that there will be lessons and discoveries that can strengthen your relationship or make you question it. While the reason for separating may seem odd to others, ultimately if it feels right to you then go with your heart. Divorce is personal, there is no one rule that fits all.
Additionally, under the new legislation there does not have to be any other reason that the marriage has irretrievably broken down. Whatever has caused this whether its domestic arguments, lack of support or disconnect divorce is not a failure. It is simply recognising a decision you made is no longer working for you and it may be time to move on.
If you need support exploring separation, questions about the divorce process or a divorce lawyer to help you file – get in touch with the compassionate, expert team here at Waterstone Legal. Our expertise covers high-net worth divorces, child arrangement orders to alternative dispute resolution. Divorce does not always mean ending up in court, in fact many are settled without ever entering a court room. We can listen and accommodate what is best based on your specific circumstances.
To get in touch, book a call today for a free consultation with a divorce lawyer. As a top family law firm we are here to provide you with solid support and clear advice for you now and in the future.
