Between 40-50% of all marriages in the United States end in divorce, so if you're in a situation where you're considering asking your spouse for divorce, you're not alone. Still, all marriages encounter hardships from time to time, and it's important to confirm that you're 100% sure about your decision to file for divorce before you go any further with the process. Specifically, there are a few questions you'll want to ask yourself before you take the next step.

Do You Understand the Legal Process?

First and foremost, understand that obtaining a legal divorce is not a quick or easy process, so you'll want to make sure that you've taken the time to research and fully understand what you'll have to go through should you choose to follow through with a divorce. To make matters easier on you, you may want to consult with a divorce attorney, like Lisa M Pacione, Attorney At Law, who will be able to assist you through the process.

What Kind of Emotional State Are You In?

You'll also want to carefully consider your current emotional state. You should never make such a serious and permanent decision when you're feeling emotional or upset, so if you're feeling hurt, confused, or angry about something between you and your spouse, now is not the time to decide you want a divorce. Instead, this is a decision that should only be made once your mind is at ease and your conscience is clear.

Have You Taken Steps to Make it Work?

Furthermore, consider what steps you and your spouse have already taken to try and fix whatever problems exist in your marriage. Have you gone to couples' therapy? If not, then it might be worth it to attend a few sessions (assuming your spouse agrees to this) to see if things may be able to be worked through. Of course, only you and your spouse can truly know whether or not an effort has been made to save your marriage, and it's not a one-way street.

What About the Children?

If you and your spouse have children together, you'll also need to consider the repercussions that will come along with a divorce. Are you prepared to establish a co-parenting plan with your spouse in regards to the children? Are you ready to go to court over possible child custody and/or child support issues? These are all important questions to ask as you determine whether or not you're truly ready to make the decision to file for divorce.