Conflict expert James Brien has said that whilst each relationship is different it is this breakdown in communication that he sees across multiple couples.
A top conflict expert has highlighted that poor communication is the key issue plaguing clients seeking to end their marriages. James Brien from Easy Online Divorce observes that, although every couple is unique, a breakdown in dialogue is consistently at the heart of marital collapse.
Shedding light on the common misconception, James pointed out that it’s rarely a “single action” that propels couples towards divorce but rather an accumulative process. He noted that while cheating can precipitate a breakup, it’s seldom the sole culprit and typically, there are broader issues contributing to the downfall of a relationship.
James commented: “There are many factors behind why couples divorce, and it’s often not one single action that spells the end of a marriage. But there is a common theme I see in most couples looking to end their legal partnership – a lack of communication.”
“At some point along the way their communication has broken down and they have found it hard or impossible to speak to one other about the problems they are facing.”
“They have stopped opening up about what’s wrong, stopped working through problems together and bitterness and resentment has started to seep in.”
“I see this when they reach the stage of wanting to end their marriage and are at complete odds about why their relationship has crumbled. Often one action is blamed – such as infidelity – but the truth is a marriage has often broken down before such an act is carried out.”
James highlighted that while the end of a marriage can be tough, better communication could ease the pain. He said: “Divorce can have far-reaching emotional impacts. This is why it’s so important to be as open and honest with each other as possible.”
“Be truthful about your feelings and listen when your partner does the same. If you do reach a point where you can no longer stay in the marriage, an understanding of each other goes a huge way to minimising conflict. It’s a big ask but it is possible.”
James isn’t alone in his views on divorce; attorney Andrew Zashin told the Express that whilst many think couples just drift apart or infidelity strikes, he believes: “Most family law experts agree that the most frequent reasons couples decide to divorce relate to money. From my 30 plus years of practice I am certain that money-related issues are the primary cause of divorce.”
