Signs It Might Be Time to Consider Divorce

 Posted on August 05, 2026 in Divorce

A rough patch in a marriage does not always indicate that a divorce is pending. In many cases, couples can work out their issues and come out stronger for it. Some situations, however, are not salvageable. A St. Charles divorce attorney can explain some signs that it might be time to consider divorce in 2026.

What are the Signs that You Should Consider a Divorce in Illinois?

The following may be indicators that your marriage is no longer serving you or your spouse.

You Are Experiencing Abuse in Your Marriage

First and foremost, if your marriage is abusive, your safety should come first. No one deserves to be physically, mentally, or emotionally abused by a partner.

If your partner is violent, controls your life or your finances, tries to cut you off from family or friends, or shows any other abusive behavior, consider getting help. It’s important to make a plan to leave safely. You do not need to tell your spouse you are leaving or where you are going. Some abusers get more controlling or violent when their victims try to leave or stand up for themselves. If you are in immediate danger, call 911.

You Cannot Resolve Conflicts in a Healthy Way

If all your attempts to resolve conflicts productively end in screaming, slammed doors, or refusing to speak to each other, you and your spouse may not be communicating in a healthy way. This can be especially damaging if you have children who are being affected by the conflict.

A strong marriage requires clear communication between the partners. Communication skills can be learned, but like learning any other skill, it takes practice. Both partners need to be willing to practice healthy communication skills and be accountable for their mistakes.

Your Physical or Mental Health Is Suffering Because of the Marriage

Our spouses have a significant impact on our lives and health. When living with your spouse makes it impossible for you to live a physically or mentally healthy lifestyle, you should consider exiting the marriage.

Not every unhealthy marriage is abusive. However, ongoing problems in a marriage can take a toll on your physical and mental health. If you have tried to fix these issues, including through marriage counseling, and nothing has changed, it may be time to think about whether staying in the marriage is right for you.

You Often Picture Your Life Without Your Spouse

One warning sign that a marriage is fizzling may be frequently thinking about what your life would look like without your spouse.

It’s natural to occasionally imagine what your life would be like if you were single or with a different person. However, if you often imagine life without your spouse, it could be a sign of deeper issues in your relationship.

This can also mean that the intimacy you once shared with your spouse has faded. This can include physical intimacy but also covers sharing feelings, thoughts, hopes, and desires for your life. Without these important bonds, it can be easy for couples to drift further and further apart until they are living separate lives.

You Do Not Want to Resolve the Difficulties in the Marriage

To recover from relationship challenges, both parties need to be willing to put in the work. If you no longer want to work on the problems in your marriage, it may be time to think seriously about divorce. If you want to work on the marriage but your spouse does not, remember that you cannot fix the relationship on your own.

Isolated incidents of conflict or occasionally picturing your life without your spouse do not mean your relationship is over. Most, if not all, relationships have moments like this. However, if there are ongoing issues or basic differences in values, you may not be able to overcome them.

How Do You File for Divorce in Illinois?

To start a divorce in Illinois, one spouse must file a Petition for Dissolution of Marriage in court. This document and subsequent steps are outlined in the Illinois Marriage and Dissolution of Marriage Act. After the petition is filed, the other spouse must be served with divorce papers.  A reputable divorce attorney can help you file the required documents and understand the next steps.

Illinois is a ‘no-fault’ divorce state, meaning that you do not have to prove that your spouse did something wrong to get divorced. Illinois law refers to this as "irreconcilable differences." This means the marriage has broken down and cannot be repaired. Living apart for six months can show irreconcilable differences if neither spouse agrees to a divorce at first.

Call a Kane County, IL Family Law Attorney Today

If you’re considering divorce, one of your first steps should be to find a lawyer to represent you.

Our St. Charles, IL divorce lawyers at Shaw Sanders, P.C. can help. Our main attorney is a trained mediator with significant experience in family law. If we can resolve your case through mediation, we will. If not, we are prepared to litigate for you.

To schedule a free consultation with an experienced attorney, call our offices at 630-584-5550 today.