When Unemployment Leads to Divorce

There are many reasons why a marriage might end. Infidelity, financial problems, domestic violence, substance abuse and personality clashes are just some of them. One common issue that can derail a marriage is unemployment. While almost everyone has experienced some form of unemployment in their lives, many have the motivation to quickly move on and find a new job.

However, some treat their newfound unemployment as a vacation. They sit around and watch TV or play video games all day. They may not even do any household chores. They put no effort into their marriage as the other spouse becomes the sole provider. This causes the working spouse to become overwhelmed.

Unemployment can cause a domino effect of problems in a marriage. The person may become depressed because they cannot find employment. This is especially true for husbands. This can lead to substance abuse and anger issues. The family needs to reconfigure their budget. They fight over what to buy and what not to buy. This negatively impacts their sex life. The marriage effectively crumbles.

Many couples are able to move on after unemployment issues. However, if a partner seems unmotivated to find work and does nothing to help out the household, that is a serious problem. It may be less stressful to move on and live alone. Many frustrated spouses decide to file for divorce rather than deal with the stress of their partner’s unemployment.

Keeping Your Marriage Intact

Fortunately, there are ways to get through this stressful situation. You can keep your marriage alive with these tips:

• Maintain favorite rituals. If you and your spouse enjoy doing things on a regular basis, you should try to continue doing them. For example, if you enjoy going to see movies, perhaps you’ll have to skip the big screen and rent movies to watch at home instead. Instead of going out to dinner, make a nice meal at home together.
• Praise progress. A person does not usually get a new job overnight. The process can take time. Sometimes the hiring process can take months. Therefore, keep your spouse’s spirits up when he or she applies for jobs or gets called in for interviews. Every step is progress in the right direction, so keep your partner motivated.
• Don’t blame. Most people are unemployed through no fault of their own. Layoffs happen even in the largest companies. While the situation can be frustrating, blaming or criticizing your partner won’t make things better. Instead, focus on his or her positive traits.

Contact a Maryland Divorce Lawyer Today

Unemployment is an issue that puts strain on a family’s financial resources. If your partner has gone many months or even years without work, it can also strain a marriage and even lead to divorce.

Has the stress of your spouse’s unemployment become too much to bear? If your marriage is deteriorating and your partner does not want to put in the effort to save your marriage, get help from the Columbia divorce lawyers at the Law Offices of Todd K. Mohink, P.A. We can help you move on from a frustrating marriage. We have two offices to serve you. Schedule a free consultation today. Fill out the online form or call (410) 774-5987.

Resource:

cbsnews.com/news/how-long-term-unemployment-can-affect-your-marriage/

https://www.marylandlawhelp.com/how-technology-can-impact-your-divorce/