Every marriage has its ups and downs, and many issues can be resolved by simply communicating openly and calmly with your spouse. In some cases, it can take a significant amount of time and effort for serious issues to be resolved. However, there are also instances when calling it quits is truly the best option available. Before you make this permanent and serious decision, consider how divorce may impact your life. Here are the pros and cons:
One of the most significant aspects of a marriage ending in divorce is the financial impact this could have on both parties. All debts and assets may be divided in half. You may need to sell a house or other assets before you are ready to do so. Your retirement account balance may be cut in half, and this could delay your retirement plans. If one spouse earns much more money than the other, the spouse with the lower income may have to adjust to a lesser lifestyle in order to support the other and any children that they may have had together.
Regardless of whether you have only been married a few years or a couple of decades or more, a marriage ending marks the end of an era. It also can erase any plans that you may have had for the future. It can be emotionally difficult to deal with this significant turn of events and to essentially start your life over. You may run into situations where it’s not just your relationship has ended but participating in certain activities that you may have done together or spending time with particular social groups as well. You’ll realize that a lot of your life belonged to just the two of you and that it’s hard to keep to the things that you liked to do once you move on from the other.
On the other hand, it can be rather liberating to start over. When you look past the fact that something important to you is ending and focus on the fact that you can approach life on a new page, you may feel invigorated and even excited about the possibilities. You simply have to approach this new era with the right mindset and not dwell in the past.
Some people do not feel comfortable being entirely independent and steering their own boat. However, others may embrace this prospect and take comfort in knowing that their future is entirely controlled by them. They no longer have to discuss plans or goals with another person or try to appease someone else before getting to live life on their own terms.
As you can see, there are both positive and negative effects of a divorce. Before you finalize your decision about how to proceed, consider examining how this could affect your emotional health and your financial health. It may be wise to seek marriage counseling and to discuss the issue with an attorney as part of your decision-making process. However, not every relationship can be repaired. If divorce ends up being the answer for you, don’t hesitate to contact a legal representative—such as one from Olson Kulkoski Galloway & Versely SC.
Hannah Whittenly is a freelance writer and mother of two from Sacramento, CA. She enjoys kayaking and reading books by the lake.