When couples get divorced for financial reasons, it may be that they have significant financial stress. You sometimes see this if one partner has an addiction or problematic spending habits. When couples can’t make ends meet for extended periods of time, they may get divorced.
But it’s important to also realize that just the way people look at money could cause them to feel like they are not cooperating or working together. This could end a marriage, even if the couple is not experiencing traditional financial stress or an inability to pay their bills.
Spending and saving
Perhaps the clearest example of how this works is when you consider that some people are spenders and some are savers.
For a spender, money is a means to an end. It helps them accomplish their goals, get things they want and have experiences. If the other person tries to stop them from spending, they feel like their spouse is inhibiting their lifestyle.
On the other side, though, their spouse may be a saver. For them, money is not about experiences or goals, but about creating financial security. The more that they save, the more stability they have in life.
Does anyone have to be right?
People often have strong opinions about how money should be used and if spending or saving is more important. But the key thing to remember is that it’s not about one side being right or wrong. It’s just about the fact that people view money in fundamentally different ways. If two people with very different views have gotten married, this difference can create long-term stress in their relationship.
Those who are getting divorced due to financial stress need to know about all of the legal options at their disposal.