Introduction 

Divorce refers to the legal termination of a marriage. Have you ever been caught up in a dilemma of choosing between staying in an uncomfortable marriage and quitting? That marriage that cost you a lot of resources to build? If you are reading this, maybe your answer is ‘YES’.Depending on how much resources you have invested in a marriage, deciding whether to terminate it must be an uphill task. That is okay. Several reasons may lead to this dilemma. These may include but are not limited to: 

• Infidelity

• Violence (physical and/or emotional)
• Desertion
• Or any valid Personal reasons

KEY FACTORS TO CONSIDER BEFORE DIVORCE

It may be emotionally, physically, economically or spiritually draining to stay in an uncomfortable marriage. This prompts you to contemplate divorce.

Before making your final decision to sign those divorce papers, here are some of the factors to consider;

• Children this is one of the major resources involved in a marriage. Ask yourself the following questions before signing for that divorce; What impact will the divorce have on our children? Am I ready to embrace divided parenting? Am I ready for the outcome? Always remember NOT to involve your children in the divorce process. Do NOT make them take sides with either of the parents.

• Time: Another valuable resource is time. How long have you spent building that marriage? Whether a longer or a shorter period, is it worth throwing in the towel? I do not know. You have the answer.

• Cost: Divorce is a legal process that has some monetary value attached to it. You may also end up losing some of the assets you both worked so hard to invest. Are you ready to incur the cost and bear with the loss? Apart from the monetary cost, consider the emotional cost as well. You definitely will pay the price.

• Outcome: Choices have consequences, so they say. Just like any other choice, divorce has consequences. Are you ready to bear the consequences? One major consequence is stress. Whether you initiate the process or not, it will be stressful. Coming to terms with the fact that the once beautiful union is NO MORE is stressful. Having the memories of the vows you two exchanged at the initial stages (and are MEANINGLESS and USELESS at the moment) will definitely drain you emotionally. The end outcome may be POSITIVE or NEGATIVE. Prepare.

CONCLUSION

Whether you initiated the divorce or your spouse, always consider the impact it will have on children, time, cost and the outcomes of the process.  Before signing the papers, try meditating and see if taking a break may be an option. Meditate. List down the good and bad things you and your spouse did during your good times together. Which side outweighs the other? Consider having a support system around you, regardless of the individual decision you finally make.