Written by Jonathan Breeden
Divorce is a deeply personal and challenging decision, especially when there are children involved.
For couples facing unresolvable conflicts, the question often arises: Is ending the marriage the right step?
While the decision is never easy, recognizing when divorce might be the best option can help create a healthier future for you and your family.
For many married couples, divorce is hardly their first choice when conflict arises. However, there can be signs that divorce might be the best path forward for everyone involved. These signs may eventually become grounds, or reasons, for your divorce.
Some of the most obvious signs that divorce is the right choice for North Carolina couples include:
Infidelity is one of the most painful betrayals in a marriage.
Whether it’s a one-time affair or ongoing cheating, rebuilding trust after such a breach is extremely difficult.
For some couples, seeking counseling or therapy offers a chance to repair the relationship.
However, if the emotional wounds are too deep, or trust can’t be restored, divorce may be the healthiest choice.
No one should remain in a relationship where abuse or violence occurs.
Domestic violence can take many forms—physical, emotional, or verbal—and the trauma can have long-lasting effects on victims.
If your safety or your children’s well-being is at risk, leaving the marriage may be your best and safest option.
Working with a lawyer who understands the legal processes for protection and divorce can help you take the right steps.
Addiction and financial deceit often go hand in hand.
Whether it’s hiding assets, gambling, or prioritizing drugs and alcohol over the marriage, financial mismanagement creates significant strain on relationships.
If your spouse is unwilling to seek treatment for their addiction or refuses to take responsibility for harmful financial choices, it may be time to explore divorce as a way to protect yourself and your assets.
Mental illness, if untreated, can place severe strain on a marriage.
While many couples work together to manage a spouse’s mental health, untreated or unresolved conditions can lead to significant challenges in daily life.
If your spouse refuses to seek help or the mental illness leads to behaviors that put you or your children in danger, divorce might be necessary for your family’s safety and well-being.
Sometimes, couples simply grow apart over time.
Differences in values, goals, or how you see the future can lead to irreconcilable differences that make the marriage unsustainable.
In such cases, counseling may not always provide the solution, and an uncontested divorce becomes the option that offers the opportunity for both individuals to find happiness elsewhere.
As a parent, staying in an unhappy marriage might feel like the best way to protect your children.
However, constant tension, conflict, or silence in the household can create a toxic environment that affects your child’s well-being.
Sometimes, ending the marriage is the better choice for both you and your children.
In many cases, a peaceful co-parenting arrangement can provide your children with the stable and supportive environment they deserve.
In North Carolina, to file for divorce, you or your spouse must have lived in the state for at least six months.
The most common route to an absolute divorce is living separately for one year. During this time, both parties must reside in different homes and not engage in regular marital relations.
Once the separation period is over, a verified complaint for divorce is filed in the county where either spouse resides.
The divorce process typically includes resolving matters like child custody, equitable distribution of property, and alimony.
If the parties can agree on these issues, they may avoid lengthy court proceedings. However, if disputes arise, a judge may intervene to settle the case.
Once you decide to pursue a divorce in North Carolina, you need to ensure your family’s future and assets are firmly protected.
It’s possible to file your divorce papers alone, but there are legal complications that can create hurdles for you that a family law attorney can explain.
Finding the right divorce lawyer in the Raleigh area can ensure you are not surprised during the proceedings and that there aren’t any complications as you seek to end your marriage.
Your attorney can file your paperwork, assess all of your family’s assets, and work on establishing your parenting plan. Going to court can be an intimidating experience, and your lawyer can ensure that critical details do not slip through the cracks.
If you decide that divorce is the right path forward, you need a legal guide who empathizes with your situation and recognizes how difficult this decision is. Enter Attorney Jonathan Breeden and the Breeden Law Office.
Jonathan was born, raised, and educated in North Carolina. He has helped hundreds of clients find the relief they were looking for in their lives. He knows that the divorce process is challenging and emotionally draining.
He’s ready to help you move forward and is ready to hear from you today.
Divorce is never easy, but it can be the first step toward a healthier and more fulfilling life.
Whether you’re dealing with issues of infidelity, abuse, or irreconcilable differences, working with a North Carolina divorce attorney ensures that your rights are protected.
At the Breeden Law Office, we understand the complexities of divorce and are here to support you every step of the way. Contact us today for a consultation and take the first step toward your new beginning.
Contact us at (919) 661-4970 to learn more about how we can help with your divorce.