Everyone who gets married expects that their union will last a lifetime. They don't realize that most first marriages end in divorce. It's important that nobody sees divorce as a failure. Instead, it's a smart option to utilize when it becomes clear that the marriage isn't going to be a healthy one any longer.

Realizing that you aren't alone may help you if you're contemplating divorce. Looking at marriages over a 40-year span shows that around 67% of first marriages end in divorce, according to XYZ. If you think your marriage is over, consider these questions before you head to a divorce law office.

Do You Still Love Your Spouse?

Sometimes, marriages end because one spouse realizes that they have love for their spouse but that they aren't in love with them. There's a huge difference between these two things, and it can make or break a relationship. One way that you may recognize that it's time to head to a divorce law office is if you don't fight with your spouse any longer. The things that used to irritate you simply don't because you've given up, not because they aren't issues anymore. If you don't have any desire to voice concerns in an effort to make the marriage any better, it may be a sign that you are no longer committed to this relationship.

Do You Have a Financial Plan to Support Yourself?

Once you file for divorce, you need to be able to support yourself. This means taking on the household bills by yourself. Sit down and write out a budget to determine if you can realistically do this. If you realize that you can't, try to increase your income or come up with a plan to decrease expenses.

Do You Have the Documents You Need for the Divorce?

Having copies of certain documents, such as bank account statements, retirement account statements, the mortgage, and similar documents can come in handy during the property division phase of the divorce. Gather these before you head to a divorce law office. Even if you can only get copies or pictures of them, that's better than not having any at all.

Do You Have Legal Representation?

You'll need to have a legal representative to help protect your interests during the divorce. An attorney at a divorce law office can explain your rights to you and help you to determine how to handle the challenges that come with ending a marriage. This can include things like property division, child custody, child support, and spousal support. To get started with an experienced divorce law office, give us a call today here at Attorney Daniel A. Lewandowski.