Divorce warning signs outlined

01/13/2012

The Globe and Mail has rounded up warning signs that a spouse may be planning to file for divorce.

Some of the signs highlighted in the piece may not initially have been obvious to the layperson. For example, one family lawyer told the paper that when he sees an individual talking on their cell phone outside their house in winter, he wonders whether there are marital problems. He highlights that they may not even be cheating but are just as likely to be talking about the issues to a friend.

The comments coincide with January being the busiest month for divorce lawyers – perhaps because of the festive holidays, when many relationships feel the strain. In fact, in Britain, 3 January has been dubbed ‘Divorce Day’ because so many couples contact a divorce lawyer after the holidays.

Other warning signs highlighted in the article include one spouse suddenly making more effort with the children or taking steps to organize finances. A divorce expert told the paper that the person may be preparing for a custody battle or attempting to limit their financial losses in a divorce case.

Sudden bad news is also flagged up as a potential omen. The piece states, “If your spouse says his successful business is doing poorly and he often mentions how much less he’s making, he could be setting up a narrative to explain why he owes you less when the divorce comes.”