Should I get a divorce? The decision to file for divorce should never be an impulsive one. These are life-changing decisions that affect not just you, but also the future and well-being of your family. Therefore, it's important to analyze your marriage, weigh the good and not-so-good in it before making the decision.

Here are some questions to ask yourself before divorce.

Have I given my marriage my best shot?

Sometimes, divorce is not the answer. Your marriage could benefit from couples counseling or therapy. In some cases, all a marriage needs is some time off from the daily grind and stresses of everyday living.

If you don't believe that you have exhausted all of your options in trying to save your marriage, put off that call. You may instead want to call about discernment counseling, which is an emerging form of marriage counseling developed for couples considering divorce.

If you removed a source of stress, might that alleviate some of your dissatisfaction?

Financial stress, sickness in the family, and trouble with your children: all of these are potential relationship killers. However, they're not insurmountable problems and do not have to lead to divorce.

Overall, will I be happier day-to-day after divorce?

In many cases, the answer to this question is yes, but people don't realize that divorce is not necessarily a solution to their problems. Some couples are surprised that the unhappiness doesn't magically disappear as soon as they get divorced. In other words, the solution to your unhappiness may not be a divorce, but something else altogether.

What do I stand to lose?

The answer to this question is not only financial loss, but also other matters. There are massive changes that will accompany a divorce, including your income levels, health insurance coverage, your residence and custody of your children. Are you emotionally ready for all of these changes? Are you prepared to handle the effect of divorce on children?                                                               

How will the divorce affect my children?

This is probably one of the most crucial questions that you will have to answer. Only you can answer this question. Remember, divorce doesn't necessarily mean long-term mental anguish for your child.  Many studies have debunked that myth. If parents are willing to cooperate with each other to give their child a normal and happy childhood, children can cope well with a divorce.

If you still want to go ahead with the divorce, speak to a family lawyer. Call 425-460-0550 to speak with attorney Molly Kenny, or fill out the online form for a consultation.

Molly B. Kenny
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Divorce and Child Custody Attorney Serving Bellevue and Seattle Washington
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