COVID-19 reveals fractures in many Texas marriages

 Posted on December 01, 2020 in Divorce

The coronavirus pandemic has taken a tremendous toll on a majority of Americans. Hundreds of thousands have died, and millions more have suffered economic hardship due to job loss and other lost opportunities.

While vaccines are being distributed, these impacts of the virus are likely to be felt for months to come. COVID-19 has also exacted a toll on many marriages, some that were already struggling before the pandemic arrived.

Reasons for divorce during the age of COVID

The news hasn’t been all bad for married couples. Some marriages have become stronger as spouses pull together during a challenging time. However, being together in tight spaces with nowhere to go has forced others to reexamine their relationships, and many have not survived the scrutiny. Some of the top reasons for divorce during this time are:

• Communication issues magnify: For couples already unable to talk openly about areas of disagreement and concern, the anxiety created by the virus and their inability to communicate only makes their frustrations worse.
• Confrontation is unavoidable: After months of stay-at-home orders and being together in close quarters, buried issues often erupt into anger, bitterness or even violence.
• Spouses discover they have different goals: COVID exposes some fundamental differences between couples regarding personal, marital and professional goals.
• Divorce is better for their kids: With children at home for much or all of the pandemic, parents cannot conceal marital issues, and many decide they no longer want to expose their kids to a toxic environment.
• They no longer want to be married: Whether the pandemic extinguished the honeymoon phase or made escaping from their problems impossible, many spouses realize they will never be on the same page.

COVID-19 has sped up the process

Even without the pandemic, these are common reasons for married couples to divorce. However, after months of living in close quarters, they are no longer waiting to take action.

If you find yourself in this situation, do what you need to do to make your life better for yourself and your children. A divorce attorney can help you understand your legal options.