If you don't want your divorce process to be stressful and cumbersome you'll need to hire the help of a divorce lawyer that is well practiced and trained. No matter what sort of issues are going to be handled during your divorce, it's important that you do your part in researching and understanding what kind of road you have in front of you. To this end, read below and apply the tips presented in this article. 

#1: Take a deep breath and go through the preliminary steps

OK, you've had the straw that broke the camel's back moment in your marriage and finally realize that you both aren't going to be able to fix this situation. The best thing you can do at this moment is calm down. Even if you're certain that divorce is what you want, you'll want to talk to a counselor and try at least one more time to reconcile. Divorce can be an expensive and ugly process, so your heart has to be in it and ready to move on with life. Consider going through a separation period instead of just filing for divorce.

Maybe this time apart from each other can help the two of you put everything in perspective so you can avoid the divorce. Or, maybe the separation period confirms that it's over and you have full peace of mind for your divorce. Either way, you can't go wrong, so make sure this is what you want. 

#2: Find the best divorce lawyer

You need to hold off on filing your divorce petition until you feel happy with the lawyer you've got representing you. If you haven't found that lawyer year, take some serious time to shop for representation and have consultations explaining your situation to different divorce attorneys. Since legal fees in a divorce can routinely get up to between $15,000 and $20,000, hiring a divorce lawyer that is credible is your best bet. 

#3: Know the procedures before you take the next steps

Every state has its own particular divorce laws. In California, you can get a divorce if either of you had differences or were deemed medically insane. In other states, you'd have to prove adultery or other faults. Either way, you won't know what you are jumping into until and unless you research divorce in your state. 

Consider these three tips as you move forward in getting your divorce.