No one plans on getting a divorce. Everyone who marries plans to stay married "till death do us part" but for one out of ever three marriages, it just doesn’t happen. Marriage isn’t to be entered into lightly or ended without serious thought and consideration, but there are some times when it is best to end your marriage. If you are in any of these situations, you need to consider divorce. Here are some signs that a marriage may be over.

Ongoing Conflict

When a couple cannot speak to each other without arguing it becomes damaging to both parties. This is no way to live. You first need to agree to try counseling and see if you can get to the root of the problem and end the conflict between the two of you. If you have truly tried counseling and still can not come to agreements and get things settled it may be time for divorce.

If you have children, you need to take this into consideration. Many time couples will try to stay married for the sake of the children but don’t often realize that it is just as damaging to children to see their parents bicker, argue, and verbally abuse each other. Your marriage needs to be an example of a loving marriage to each other. If it isn’t you may be sending your children the wrong message and may be doing more harm than good.

Physical Abuse

A partner who physically abuses you is one reason that you should divorce and divorce immediately. Any partner who abuses you one time will do it again. Abusive partners have emotional issues that you can’t solve for them. Do not stay and place yourself in physical danger.

Having children is more reason to leave. Do not place your child in an abusive atmosphere. It is better to have to get financial help and live with less material possessions than to have your children exposed to physical abuse.

Emotional Abuse

Emotional abuse is often overlooked and dismissed. Many times the abuse is gradual and you tend to write it off as "just angry words" during an argument. If your partner abuses you with belittling words that chips away at your self worth, this is abuse just as much as abuse with bruises. Just because you don’t have physical bruises or scars doesn’t mean that this abuse doesn’t exist or isn’t significant.

Women who suffer emotional abuse over a period of years are stripped of all feelings of self worth and value. They are gradually brainwashed into believing what their abusive partner tells them. This leads to depression and a crippled life. Emotional abuse is just as much grounds for divorce as physical abuse.

Extramarital Affair

When one or both partners have an extramarital affair, it can be a death blow to the marriage. Affairs breed lack of trust and lack of faith in the other partner and many times cannot be built back. Most often, counseling is required for couples to put their marriages back together after an affair. If your partner has had an affair and you can’t forgive him, it may be time for a divorce.

It’s unfortunate, but some times divorce is the best answer. If you are in any of these harmful or abusive situations, you need to realize that an abusive or damaging marriage isn’t a marriage and it’s time to let it go.