When Video Games Play a Role in Divorce in NJ

Video game addiction is a relatively new phenomenon causing a significant strain on marriages and potentially, serving as an impetus for spouses to divorce in New Jersey.

Video games have long had a place in American society. Studies show, however, that they are increasingly resulting in adverse effects on individuals’ mental health, as well as their relationships with their spouses. Video game addiction is such a strong negative influence that the World Health Organization added gaming disorder to the 11th revision of its International Classification of Diseases. It is no wonder, then, that gaming and video game addiction are leading to more divorces in New Jersey. If your spouse’s gaming is ruining your marriage, or your partner has filed for divorce citing gaming as a cause, contact Montanari Law Group at (973) 233-4396  today for a free consultation to discuss your case. The following article discusses how video gaming can cause problems in a marriage that could lead to divorce.

Signs and Effects of Video Game Addiction on Marriages

Video gaming can have various negative effects on a marriage. While many engage in video games as a way to unwind and de-stress after work, its abuse can lead to diverse personal and marital problems.

• Negative Impacts on the Gamer: as the World Health Organization’s classification shows, gaming can have negative mental and physical health effects due to lack of sleep, exercise, and social interaction. As a gamer becomes more socially isolated, personal neglect likely spreads to their wider life.
• Emotional Stress on the Marriage: excessive gaming can lead to decreased communication, emotional distance, and feelings of neglect on the part of the other partner. Decreased participation in the intimate relationship can have various emotional effects for both partners.
• Familial Neglect: addicted gamers often neglect household chores, childcare duties, and shared activities. This type of neglect can have dangerous physical, emotional, and mental effects on everyone in the family. Importantly, it can result in a child’s best interests not being served.
• Financial Duress: gaming addiction can lead to financial stress in the marriage and the depletion of marital financial assets as excessive game purchases, subscriptions, and in-game purchases are made. The gaming partner may even drive the partnership into financial debt as a result of their addiction.

Steps and Potential Solutions to Address Gaming Addiction in Your Relationship

While it is difficult to recover personally and relationally from any addiction, it is possible. The first option for a video gaming addict is to seek individual counseling. When it comes to the relationship, a couple can pursue couples therapy to address communication and behavioral issues and rebuild trust. Family members can participate in support groups for families of gaming addiction. And ultimately, a spouse can seek legal counsel regarding divorce or child custody issues related to video game addiction.

How can Divorce be Affected by a Spouse with a Video Gaming Problem in New Jersey?

In addition to serving as a factor that leads to the breakdown of a New Jersey marriage, video game addiction can be the causative factor of a fault-based divorce situation. Most New Jersey divorces are no-fault, meaning that the couple decides to divorce due to irreconcilable differences. When video game addiction directly causes familial neglect or financial hardship over an extended period of time, however, it can be cited as a factor contributing to the breakdown of a marriage. Equitable distribution of marital assets and alimony are not typically impacted by fault-based divorce per say, but a judge may consider the cited fault when determining spousal support arrangements and length. If the gamer has dwindled marital savings due to a gaming addiction, however, losses will be taken into consideration and may be reflected in asset distribution. Also, if gaming has negatively affected the parent’s ability to provide care and supervision of their child, it could very well impact a judge’s child custody ruling.

Our Divorce Attorneys can Assist with Divorcing Your Video Gaming Spouse in Glen Ridge, NJ

While a divorce attorney is a key ally during any divorce proceeding, they are especially elemental in the case in which one partner’s addiction has caused familial or financial duress. Essential determinations such as equitable marital assets distribution, child custody, and spousal support payment are decided in a divorce settlement. The experienced divorce attorneys at Montanari Law Group will gather substantial evidence of your ex’s role in bringing about financial hardship or neglecting their marital and parental duties if they exist. Our highly respected family law firm is committed to serving clients in Fort Lee, Verona, Wyckoff, Montclair, Caldwell, Woodland Park, Paramus, and throughout Passaic County and Northern New Jersey with their divorce and custody matters. Contact us today at (973) 233-4396  for a confidential and free consultation to discuss your case.