Divorce can happen for many reasons, such as conflicting parenting styles, infidelity and communication difficulties.
Another common issue that can cause divorce is financial difficulties and conflicts. It’s an issue that many couples overlook. Here are some of the most common ways that financial issues crop up between couples:
1. Gambling and other addictions
Addiction can create a lot of issues in marriages, such as mood swings, increased temper and paranoia. Another issue that addiction causes is financial difficulties. For example, a spouse may gamble away money necessary for rent or debt. This kind of problem may create lasting issues between spouses.
2. Extended family
It’s not uncommon for family members to ask for financial help from relatives. If a spouse is financially supporting a family member without their spouse knowing, it can create difficulties. A decision like this may need to be discussed together and not giving a spouse the choice may cause them to feel resentment and betrayal.
3. Hidden debts
Many people have debt. There might be difficulties in a marriage if a spouse hides debts they had from their spouse. This may be student loans or credit card debt. There could also be difficulties if a spouse has a credit card they use secretly.
4. Spousal identity theft
A person may break the trust of their spouse by using their spouse’s personal information to take out credit cards and loans in their spouse’s name. This may make a person feel as if their spouse went behind their back and created financial difficulties or altered their credit score.
5. Power plays
Money can become a tool for manipulation. Someone may use the fact that they are the only source of family income or have a much higher income than their spouse to control what their spouse can and can’t do. This can happen in households that have one spouse as the primary breadwinner and the other as a stay-at-home parent.
If you’ve reached a breaking point in your marriage over money issues, it may be time to learn more about the divorce process.