The decision to end a marriage is never an easy one, even when conditions suggest that divorce is the only proper course of action. Military spouses can become accustomed to the environment in which they live, and it can be difficult to acknowledge when circumstances have reached a point of no return. One recent article takes a look at actions and behaviors that Texas spouses should consider to be signs that military divorce might be a wise decision.
The first and most obvious sign of trouble involves any level of physical abuse directed at a spouse or children living within the home. While there are many things that can be tolerated and worked through within a marriage, acts of violence are never acceptable. Anyone who has been subjected to physical abuse should take immediate steps to seek assistance in leaving the home and ending the marriage.
There are many other behaviors that present a less clear message, however. Among these are choices made by one’s partner that have the power to place other household members at risk. Examples include drug or alcohol addiction, gambling problems and criminal activity. While some of these matters can be effectively dealt with through counseling or other intervention, spouses must carefully assess the progress made by their partner. If there is no significant change in behavior, divorce may offer the only way of removing oneself and one’s children from the risk.
Deciding to move beyond a marriage in which there are serious threats to safety and security is never easy. However, when such matters are not addressed, serious repercussions can follow. Any time that violence or risky behavior is present within a Texas home, the spouse who stands to be harmed by those choices should carefully consider his or her options, up to and including filing for military divorce.
Source: The Huffington Post, “The Right Time to Get a Divorce“, Dr. Gail Gross, Feb. 11, 2015