The Top 4 Reasons People File for Divorce

by | Oct 10, 2020 | Divorce

People all around the world get married to signify their commitment to each other. It’s one of the oldest traditions, although the ritual itself varies from culture to culture. But we all know it doesn’t always end in happily ever after. So, if you’re wondering, “Why do people get divorced?” here are four unfortunately common reasons.

Financial Stress

Financial problems can cause stress and tension in a relationship. Research has shown that 34% of surveyed people consider themselves to be the money saver in their relationship, while blaming their significant other for larger expenses. It’s one of the most delicate subjects, and one that partners often avoid talking about, especially if they have different perspectives on their financial status or how assets should be used. While many have stated that it’s not a primary cause for divorce, financial stress can create a climate of survival that can weigh heavily on a marriage.

Lack of Commitment

Of course, marriage is sustained by both parties. If only one person is struggling to keep the union afloat, it’s bound to fail. Many people realize that the effort is too much for them only after they’ve said their vows and returned from the honeymoon. A one-sided marriage is sure to create resentments that can ultimately lead to divorce. This issue is usually followed by a lack of communication – once the responsibilities start pouring in, it’s easy to forget to wind down and take a break.

Married at a Young Age

Why do people get divorced? Marrying at a young age is one of the leading causes of divorces. High school sweethearts are, well, sweet, but these couples often break down over time as they mature and change as individuals. And to tie in a previous stressor, people who marry at an early age typically experience more financial concerns. It’s unlikely that they already have established careers. In fact, they may be working and attending school. Divorce becomes even more likely when children are involved. So, you can see there is an accumulative effect to stressors.

Reduced Time and Closeness

Marriages require quality time and intimacy to survive. While many couples experience cooling off periods, especially when compared to the earlier stages of their relationship, couples that last find ways to reconnect. Children and work can make it more challenging for couples to invest time in their marriage. It takes a conscious effort to maintain a healthy relationship, and without that joint effort it’s easy for people to grow apart over the years, or even to seek extramarital affairs to meet those needs for connection, whether they’re physical or emotional.

Legal Separation and Divorce

We have solutions for your most difficult family law issues. If you need guidance regarding legal separation or divorce in the Bay Area, please contact us at Whipple, Mercado & Associates by calling our office at  (925) 344-5050, or schedule a free consultation today.

Tammy J. Mercado

Tammy J. Mercado has a passion for helping her clients achieve their desired results. She listens and she personally and promptly responds to your texts, emails and phone calls. She offers real solutions to your legal matters. Tammy will carefully evaluate the legal issues in your case, provide you with sound advice and offer you the pros and cons of each possible scenario so you can meet your legal objectives. She encourages clients to participate in their own matters. Tammy believes that client participation is key to a positive result and to keeping attorney fees as low as possible. You can be sure that she will offer you straightforward, sound and honest advice in a professional manner, with integrity and excellence.

Before opening her own law practice, Tammy worked for many high-volume law firms. This gave her extensive, diversified experience in hundreds of complex family law cases as well as civil matters. She is admitted to practice law before all courts in California and the United States District Court for the Northern District of California. She is also a member of the American Bar Association, the Contra Costa Bar Association, the Alameda County Bar Association and the Bar Association of San Francisco. Tammy is also a member of the Rotary Club of Danville.

Tammy is a graduate of John F. Kennedy School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Science in business management from the University of Phoenix. Tammy is also a licensed real estate broker, which comes in handy for valuing property in family law cases as well as real estate matters in the civil arena.

During her off time, Tammy is an avid sailor who crews and races on various boats in the San Francisco Bay. Tammy approaches each case as she would any yacht race: by assessing the other’s strengths, weaknesses, experience, equipment, history and reputation. She is a member of the American Sailing Association, and she is a certified Coast Guard Auxiliary member.

HONORS AND AWARDS
Tammy was selected to receive the prestigious “Business Person of the Year” Award in 2017 for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce.

Tammy is currently serving as Danville Rotary President for 2017 through 2019.

Mary C. Whipple, CFLS

Mary C. Whipple opened her first law practice in the summer of 2008. She previously was an associate attorney at the Law Office of Cummins & Holmes, a full-service civil litigation law firm in San Ramon. The majority of her experience is in family law, which includes divorce, custody, support, prenuptial agreements and domestic-violence restraining orders. Certified by the California State Bar’s Board of Legal Specialization, she is a specialist in the area of family law. Mary has also represented clients in a variety of non-family-law cases, including juvenile dependency, probate, breach of contract and employment disputes, to name a few.

Mary also previously worked as a contract attorney for O’Melveny & Meyers in San Francisco while simultaneously volunteering at the Bar Association of San Francisco’s Volunteer Legal Services Program, representing defendants in unlawful detainer actions. The program acknowledged Mary with an Outstanding Volunteer in Public Service Award in 2006 for her efforts in providing access to justice.

A seventh-generation Californian, Mary is a graduate of Loyola University Chicago School of Law. She earned her Bachelor of Science in criminology at Southern Oregon University in Ashland, Oregon. She is a member of the State Bar of California, the Alameda County Bar Association, and the Contra Costa County Bar Association.

In addition, Mary is active in her community as a member of the Ambassador’s Committee for the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce; a volunteer at the Contra Costa County and Alameda County Superior Courts, where she assists self-represented litigants in completing their divorces; and a member of Divorce Angel, where she provides information regarding family law matters to members of the community. Since 2007 she has been a volunteer judge for Alameda and Contra Costa County’s Annual High School Moot Court Competition. She is also a member of the Danville/Sycamore Valley Rotary Club. She was awarded the San Ramon Chamber of Commerce 2012 Business Person of the Year; and a graduate of the 2012 class of Leadership San Ramon Valley.

CERTIFIED LEGAL SPECIALTIES
Certified Specialist in Family Law by the State Bar of California Board of Legal Specialization