If you’re unhappy in your marriage but are unsure whether ending it is the answer, you are not alone. Because getting divorced is such a life-changing decision, it can take years for people to get to the point where they are ready to file. While some need that time to evaluate what they truly want, others find themselves wishing they had ended the marriage much sooner. If you’re not sure whether the relationship is worth saving but have seriously considered filing in recent months, the following tips from the compassionate divorce attorneys at Williams, Hall & Latherow, LLP in Ashland, KY, may help. 

Divorce Attorney Explains How to Decide if Filing Is the Right Move

1. Consider the Timing

Staying in an unhappy marriage is undoubtedly stressful, but so is adjusting to major life transitions. Before deciding to file, consider why you’re so unhappy or stressed out in the first place. Is it really your marriage, or is something else to blame? Did you recently have a baby? Did one of you lose a job? Are you about to move across the country? Sometimes, fighting with the ones we love is actually a consequence of unhappiness, not its underlying cause. 

2. Try Everything Once 

Living with regret is unbearable. To ensure the relationship is truly over, exhaust all possible resources before filing. This might include reading the same self-help books, picking up a new hobby together, or going to couples counseling. In short, try everything possible to revitalize the relationship. If you’re still unhappy after all that, you can file for divorce without wondering whether there was something else you could have done. 

3. Look Inward 

A healthy marriage is built on compromise, but everyone has their deal breakers. Additionally, there are some issues that simply cannot end in compromise. For example, if one spouse wants children and the other does not, there is no compromise that will satisfy both of them. Either way, one party will become resentful of the other. Consider what you truly want and whether staying married will help you get it. If not, filing for divorce is likely the right decision.

If you have decided it’s time to end your marriage, turn to a divorce attorney at Williams, Hall & Latherow, LLP in Ashland, KY. This full-service law firm is committed to giving each case the attention it deserves and you can be sure they will protect your best interests during every stage of the divorce proceedings. Visit their website to explore all their practice areas and legal services or call (606) 329-1919 to schedule an initial consultation with a divorce attorney today.