What strategies can my partner and I use to have better communication and build the mutual respect we used to have for one another? We argue more than what we should and when it comes to solving our problems it takes a long time because our communication has gotten so poor.

You may need to work on listening skills. You'd be surprised, but so many people claim they are good listeners when in fact they really only want to hear what THEY want to hear WHEN THEY want to hear it. For example, if you two are arguing over who didn't do the dishes, when she is done speaking/expressing herself, you may want to try and rephrase her own words or paraphrase like so : So when you said I need to come home and do the dishes right away...

But in all honesty, if you two are fighting over the most simplistic things, then perhaps the relationship has gone a little stale and you may need time to yourselves. Sometimes even being around the people you love and care about the most can leave you feeling flustered at one another and you may be displacing your anger at each other incorrectly.

Hope this helps.