Family & Divorce
Relationships are hard. They can test our limits, and they aren’t always rainbows and butterflies. As the years go by, relationships can go through normal patterns of ups and downs. For some, the time in which their relationship hits a rough patch may be longer than they hoped for, to the point where they wonder if parting ways is the right decision. Married couples who are considering divorce may try couples therapy before making a final choice, but ultimately decide that it isn’t enough and going their separate ways is best. Attending counseling in itself may not save your relationship, because both partners need to be willing and dedicated to the process in order for there to be a chance of improvement.
Most of us have heard about the grave statistics of divorce. It was estimated that around 1 in every 2 married couples will get divorced in their lifetime. Thankfully, there has been some decrease in this divorce percentage in very recent years. And, couples shouldn’t be discouraged when they hear this likelihood, because a contributing factor to whether a relationship thrives is based on if both people are actually trying. All in all, don’t let a statistic influence how you feel about your relationship if it is currently going through a major struggle. But for those who feel it’s just time to move on, they may get help from a divorce lawyer about the steps to take next.
Sometimes, we can get so caught up in the heat of an argument that we have trouble seeing things from the outside in. A therapist is a neutral party who assists in navigating difficult conversations. Whether you and your partner are dealing with infidelity, money problems, grief, lying, drug addiction, or other tough topics, you can rest assured that your therapist has been trained in guiding such dialogue. In many cases, partners who genuinely want to fix their relationship are able to do so if they are committed to therapy and making changes where needed. A counselor can be a great person to help shed light into areas of a relationship that maybe someone hadn’t noticed before. But for some, when they take a closer look at their marriage, they realize that it just isn’t right for them anymore.
It is important to note that for some people, it’s simply time to end the marriage. Some partners may realize through therapy that they are better suited and happier in the end if they no longer remain together. Your therapist isn’t there to judge your decisions or make them for you, but instead support you both as you figure out what the next step is. If you still get divorced, having attended therapy can help you come to terms with the choice in such a way that healing and acceptance can transpire, so you aren’t carrying anguish or unresolved pain into the next chapter of your life. Once you decide that parting ways is the path you want to take, consider meeting with a family law firm, as the lawyers at the Law Office of Daniel E. Stuart, P.A. recommend, for help on how to officially initiate your divorce.
It can add even more anguish to the situation if your partner doesn’t want to attend couples counseling. Many husbands or wives are fearful that going to therapy will only make matters worse instead of better. It is true that therapy sessions may not feel great in the moment, but it provides a safe space where things can be talked about and potentially worked through. What you can do to start is to see a therapist on your own first, and hope that maybe your partner can be gently convinced to join you. However, despite your best of intentions and attempts, some marriages are not destined for forever after all. In this case, recruiting help from a legal team that understands divorce law can be helpful in getting you where you want to be from here on out.