Divorce is becoming more and more common. Almost all of us have family members or friends who have chosen to end their first or even second or third marriages. Often, you can tell that the marriage was doomed for months or years before the separation.

Other times, though, the news of separation comes as a shock because you'd thought that the marriage was going well and that both spouses were pleased with their lives. So why do some apparently smooth marriages end in divorce? Every couple has unique reasons, but New Jersey couples may display some early warning signs that you can detect.

Career Opportunities

Partners may have been satisfied with their jobs at the time they got engaged and married. As time passed, one or both partners may have wanted to pursue new career opportunities. Individuals may be tempted to relocate to accept a promotion or change career directions, but their partners may want to stay put or move to a different place to maximize his or her own options. A marriage may be in trouble if neither partner is willing to compromise in their careers.

Lack of Communication

The biggest hurdle to long-term marriages may be an inability or unwillingness to work on emotional problems. Couples who do not communicate well are more likely to get divorced. You may not notice their tension in public, but these partners may also have underlying stressors that they should talk through. Avoiding confrontation can be a good short-term solution to relationship problems, but a successful marriage requires that both couples commit to regularly discussing their feelings.

Source: Huffington Post, "Why Do Happy Newlyweds Eventually Divorce?" Robert Hughes, Jr., Feb. 18, 2012