It can be helpful to prepare in advance for a divorce. To this end, it’s beneficial to know what red flags to look for so that you can see if your relationship may be headed in that direction.
Of course, everyone’s relationship is unique so you will have your own personal factors to consider. But here are a few red flags that you want to keep in mind.
Your lifestyles are very different
If you and your spouse are very different, it can eventually lead to conflicts, especially as you get older. For instance, maybe you like saving money for retirement, but your spouse likes spending money on trips with their friends. When you’re in your 20s, you may just laugh it off and think that it’s not a big deal. But as you get closer to retirement age, this can bring about serious conflicts.
You don’t know how to compromise
Another issue for couples is when they won’t compromise. For instance, maybe your spouse is someone who always has to get their way about every little decision, including things like where to eat. You may let some of this go, but it can eventually take a toll and erode the foundation of the relationship.
They always play the blame game
Additionally, it can be a source of conflict if your spouse always wants to blame you for everything that goes wrong. They don’t know how to admit fault, and they try to shift the blame to you. Perhaps they even gaslight you, trying to make you think that disagreements are your fault when you know they’re not.
If you and your spouse do begin moving toward a divorce this year, be sure you know what legal options you have when dividing marital property, splitting up child custody time and more.