The oft-cited statistic has it that 50% of US marriages end in divorce, rather than the death of a spouse (though the actual figure is between 40% and 50% depending upon statistical methodology applied). Does this make divorce a cause to celebrate, to rejoice in finally being free from the constraints of a failed marriage? Or rather a cause to lament, to decry the sorry state of our society? Of course, the truth is neither and both, with a wide range of grey inbetween.

The reality is extremely subjective, varying from person to person, and all parties involved, not merely the spouses. One spouse may rejoice, the other regret. And have you ever known children of a divorce throw a party, thrilled that their parents are finally separated (absent parental abuse, anyway)? No, of course divorce is a serious matter, a venture not lightly entered into, a life-changing course rivaled by few other events in one’s life. It is sage advice to consider all options before choosing divorce as the only recourse in a failed marriage. One’s marriage may not be failed after all, simply faltering, and steps may be taken to correct the course, through counseling and mediation among other measures.

But if divorce seems your only recourse, then it is imperative that you seek the legal advice of an experienced divorce attorney who can guide you through the maze of issues that arise with divorce proceedings, many if not most of which you may well not be aware of before commencing your divorce process. Consider how much of your life, public and private, financial and material, will be analyzed and debated in a court proceeding. In fact, this is largely why 90% of all divorces are settled out of court; spouses reach agreement without courtroom drama through the aid of legal advice and mediation and so can come to terms without court proceedings.