Every marriage has its trials and tribulations. If you think you might want a divorce, it’s a really good idea to talk to your partner about how you feel. Discussing the problems in your relationship will alert your partner to the fact you are unhappy and will give you both a chance to see if you can try and put things right.

It might be that you can attend relationship counselling together, to see if you can save your relationship, avoiding separation or divorce. Alternatively you might want to speak to someone on your own, to help you identify how you are feeling, why you are feeling that way and what you want to do next.

It is a big decision to make so don’t rush into it. Even if you do decide that the time has come to separate or divorce, if you have discussed the problems with your partner it at least won’t come as a complete shock to them that you do want to separate. Also, if you have given counselling a try, you can both start the separation process knowing that you have explored all of the options and have not made the decision lightly.

For a free initial chat with a specialist divorce and separation lawyer, without any obligation to take things further, please contact Francesca Cozens on 01206 204066 or email francesca.cozens@birkettlong.co.uk.