Lockdowns, shelter-in-place orders, and quarantines related to the COVID-19 pandemic have led many couples to their boiling points. Time trapped together at home can exacerbate existing problems in a relationship, as well as create new ones. If you and your spouse have been arguing more during quarantine, you are not the only ones. As early as March, cities in China were reporting increasing divorce rates related to the quarantine. Consider whether it is time for you and your partner to divorce in San Francisco with a few telltale signs.
Breakdowns in Communication
Quarantine orders forcing couples to shelter in place for the last couple of months have created a volatile environment for marital feuds. It may be harder to communicate your thoughts and feelings to your spouse than before. Tensions may be running high and patience wearing thin. You might have existing underlying conflicts in your marriage that being stuck at home together is emphasizing. You might also have new things to fight about during quarantine. If you and your partner can no longer communicate effectively or kindly with one another, it could be a sign of irreconcilable differences and the need for a divorce.
Financial Fights
Financial stability has reached all-time lows for millions of families in the US since the COVID-19 pandemic started. The Pew Research Center reported a 14.4% unemployment rate in April 2020 but stated the actual rate might have been closer to 16% due to issues in reporting related to COVID-19. This is the highest unemployment rate America has seen since the Great Depression in the 1930s (25%). Unemployment with no known end date can lead to significant financial struggles and related fights among couples. Finances are the main reason for marital feuds.
Conflicts Over Kids
Many couples have experienced new issues in their marriages related to childcare since the pandemic began. With schools, daycares, camps and other activities closed for the summer, kids are home 24/7. Many parents have also transitioned to working from home, meaning the whole family is spending much more time together. This has led to some people taking issue with how their partners treat or raise the kids. If you have discovered things you do not like about how your partner connects with the kids, it may be something you cannot move past in your marriage.
Emotional Changes
Living through a pandemic is making some couples realize life is too short to be miserable. This is pushing them to file for divorce when previously they were content to remain in unhappy relationships or take the time to try to work things out. Emotional signs that it could be time for divorce include lack of intimacy, your relationship feeling more like a friendship, contempt for your partner or vice versa, feeling lost, feeling indifferent, or committing adultery. While it can be normal to experience anxiety and depression under pandemic conditions, if things have grown past the point of no return with your spouse during the quarantine, it may be time for a divorce.
Domestic Violence
The rates of domestic violence and abuse have also spiked during COVID-19 quarantines. Thousands of victims have become trapped at home with their abusers. If your partner has been violent or abusive toward you or your kids, get help immediately. Call 1-800-799-7233 24/7 to speak to a trained professional about how to safely escape your situation. Resources for domestic violence survivors are available in San Francisco, including women’s shelters and legal protective orders. Contact an attorney as soon as possible to initiate the divorce process.
Time to Divorce? Contact an Attorney in SF Today
If you and your partner have discovered your marriage cannot survive a pandemic, consider getting divorced with help from a San Francisco divorce attorney. A divorce attorney can help you file the correct paperwork with the courts in your county – including an expedited emergency protective order, if necessary. An attorney can protect you in divorce proceedings by being your voice during negotiations or at trial. Speak to an attorney today at the Schoenberg Family Law Group to find out how we can help you.
