You might feel alone in your current journey, and that is understandable. This is a difficult time in your life, and you may not have given much thought to the idea of divorce before. But no matter how alone you feel, many other people in New Jersey have walked very similar paths. In fact, you might have noticed some of these common signs leading up to your own divorce.
Things like criticizing, broken trust and communication problems are all pretty common. Of course, the reasons behind these problems can all be very different, as one couple could lose trust because of small lies, while another might be dealing with infidelity.
What broken communication looks like
When your ex shifted from frequent criticism to simply not talking it might have come as a relief at first. Frequent criticism is a pretty significant communication problem that can damage a marriage, but so is silence. Emotionally shutting out a partner — also called stonewalling — is usually a sign that he or she is not willing to put any more effort into the relationship.
Of course, communication can suffer even when two people are still talking. For example, your spouse might have started speaking to you with contempt, which is both disrespectful and devaluing of you as a person. Contempt can make anyone feel defensive, but being routinely defensive when heading into conversations is not a good sign for a relationship’s future.
Which relationships to watch out for
The internet is a common part of most people’s daily lives, and it is where many people work, play and form meaningful relationships. While there is nothing wrong with an online friendship, your spouse may have crossed a line when he or she chose that relationship over you. These relationships are not always romantic either, as emotional affairs are not uncommon when it comes to online relationships.
Sometimes, just imagining a relationship is a warning sign. This may be when one spouse steps beyond the normal experience of finding another person attractive and starts imaging a new relationship. It is important to understand that even private thoughts can have real life consequences.
You are not alone
Marriage is not easy, and every couple will experience their own ups and downs over the years. But sometimes, those downs last longer than the ups or never really get better at all. If this is your situation, it may be time to consider whether divorce is the right choice for you.
Finding the right guidance through this difficult time is important. In New Jersey, you have certain rights that you should make sure are protected and upheld throughout the entire divorce process. To make sure that you know what those rights are and your options for protecting them, be sure to speak with an experienced attorney who understands your situation.