Nobody likes to feel that their partner is growing more distant, more hostile, less understanding, or less interested in maintaining a healthy relationship. And yet the divorce rate in America hovers around fifty percent, leaving half of all married couples dealing with these exact feelings. When your marriage is falling apart, it is all too easy to feel hopeless, lost, confused, and helpless—unsure of what to do next or how to move forward. But with some proper understanding, you can handle a shaky marriage appropriately and get the best outcome possible. Here are three things to do when your marriage is falling apart.
Visit a Marriage Counselor
The first thing that you should do when your marriage is falling apart is to visit a marriage counselor. Many couples try to fix their marriage without the outside help of a professional marriage counselor, to disaster effects. A professional marriage counselor is an educated and licensed professional who has dedicated their professional life to helping couples exactly like you who are dealing with any number of differences or arguments. A marriage counselor can help both parties understand their shortcomings, and why the marriage may be failing, as well as offering guidance and assistance to build your marriage back up. If you have any interest in saving your marriage, you should arrange to visit a marriage counselor.
Get a Lawyer
If your attempts at salvaging your marriage fail, or the problems are simply irreparable, the next step is to get a lawyer. This may seem like a drastic step to take, but understand that if a marriage counselor has been unable to help resolve your issues and fix your marriage, then the only reasonable next step is to move for a divorce. If you don’t get a lawyer, your partner will. Having a lawyer working for you can help you understand the legal implications of divorce and deal with the logistics and legal issues that arise with divorce. Preparing for a trial can lead to a more favorable divorce settlement. With the help of a lawyer, you can be sure that you are getting everything you are entitled to under the law in your divorce.
Seek Individual Counseling
The final step to take on when your marriage is falling apart is to seek individual counseling from a licensed therapist. Dealing with a divorce can be an incredible drain emotionally, mentally, and physically. And while having friends and family to talk about it with is helpful, having a trusted professional to help guide you through your thoughts, feelings, and choices during this tumultuous time is incredibly valuable. You don’t want to carry the scars of your broken marriage around forever, and getting the help of a therapist or counselor can help you overcome them early and leave you ready to take on life post-divorce.
When your marriage is falling apart, it is all too easy to feel alone, confused, and unsure of what to do next. But understanding what to do can help you get the best possible outcome, whether that is a salvaged marriage or divorce. Follow these steps and know that you are handling your marriage in the best way possible.
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