If you have gotten to the point in your marriage where you are thinking about a divorce, there are many things to consider before taking that big step. The following are only a few of the things you need to consider.

Is your spouse really cheating?

If you want a divorce because you believe your spouse has been cheating on you, it is important that you verify this. Obviously, if you have caught your spouse in the act of cheating, no verification is necessary. Anything short of this and you should consider hiring a private investigator. If your spouse is cheating, a private investigator can discover this for you. It is best to have this investigation done before you confront your spouse about your suspicions. There is no reason to alert them. And besides, if you're wrong, your marriage will not be affected because a private investigator will be discreet, and it is unlikely your spouse will know that they are being investigated for infidelity.

Do you know your spouse's finances? 

If you are certain you want a divorce, you still need to take the time to consider whether you are knowledgeable about the finances in your marriage. It is not uncommon for one spouse to have more control over the finances and make most of the decisions. If this is true of your spouse, it is possible that he or she has assets that you're unaware of. At the first sign of a divorce, your spouse may attempt to hide assets from you. Again, it is a private investigator that can help locate all of your spouse's assets before being informed of the divorce. A divorce lawyer often knows the best private investigators who do this type of work because divorce attorneys routinely work with them.

Do You Understand the Law?

This is important because the laws can be complex, and they also vary from one state to another. What you hear from a friend or relative may not apply to your situation, or the laws are different where you live. In addition, the laws change every year, so even if the information you get from an acquaintance was accurate at the time they went through a divorce, it may no longer be accurate now. Always consult with an attorney about your particular circumstance.

The three ideas listed above are only a partial list of things to consider. A divorce attorney can answer any of the questions you may have, and always remember that just because you are consulting with an attorney (like those at Novenstern Fabriani & Gaudio, LLP) does not mean you will go through a divorce. You are simply getting information and doing so in a discreet manner.