Is money the biggest cause of divorce?

On Behalf of | Oct 4, 2023 | Divorce And Dissolution

There’s always the possibility that a marriage can end. People often divorce because of communication issues, lack of intimacy and parenting style conflicts. 

While financial issues may not be the biggest cause of divorce, it is still quite common. There are different kinds of financial issues that can lead to marital issues. Here’s what you should know:

Overspending 

Overspending can create a lot of financial difficulties for families. A spouse may overspend for a multitude of reasons. For example, a spouse may spontaneously and recklessly spend money because they have poor impulse control. Or, overspending could be a result of addiction. 

Marriage for financial stability

While many marriages are authentic, some only happen because a spouse sought someone out for financial stability. While a marriage may thrive because one spouse is able to provide for the other, this may not work for everyone. Furthermore, a marriage may struggle if someone is no longer making an income that can support both them and their spouse who doesn’t have an income. 

Salary differences

Many people don’t earn the same amount of salary as their spouses. A salary difference can have two kinds of issues. A person who makes much less than their spouse may be jealous and resentful. That feeling could cause someone to lash out at their spouse.

On the other hand, someone who makes a lot more than their spouse may have unrealistic standards. The person making a higher income may demand their spouse to provide more to a household than they can reasonably do. 

Financial control

Many households see one spouse working and the other caring for their children. Since one spouse works, they could use their finances to control what the other spouse can and can’t do. Financial control can cause an imbalance of power in a relationship, which can isolate a spouse.

Couples who learn about their legal rights before marriage may have better options for combating financial difficulties. If financial difficulties cause a wedge in a marriage then it can help to understand what rights each spouse has to their assets in a divorce.