In America, 44% of marriages end in divorce [1]. So why is there still so much mystery surrounding the process? We didn’t think it was fair that you had to go through the entire divorce process just to understand the nuances, delays and disappointments that can come with going through it. So we took matters into our own hands. 

We surveyed nearly three hundred people who have gone through divorces of their own, all of whom worked with divorce lawyers, to help you learn from their experiences. If you’re considering divorce yourself, here are a few things you might want to know.  

If you’re stressed about starting, you’re not alone

Though it can be painful, divorce is often liberating once it’s done. In fact, 70% of people report no regret when it comes to their divorce. 

With that said, for many, the process can feel overwhelming at best, and insurmountable at worst. If you’ve felt this way, count yourself among the majority. Over 42% of our survey respondents wanted a divorce for over a year to several years before they got one. 

However, even those who were hesitant to start due to financial barriers didn’t regret waiting. Over 50% of respondents stated that they wouldn’t have started the process any earlier even if they’d known it was more affordable. 

Surprise bills can happen – but there are ways to avoid them

No one wants to deal with the stress of a surprise bill at the best of times, let alone during a divorce. Our survey found that over 30% of people were surprised by a bill they received during their divorce. Here’s some more insight into the hidden costs of divorce cases–and how you can avoid them. When you work with a firm like Marble, you’ll know the cost of each step in your case in advance and can say goodbye to the added stress of surprise bills. 

It might not take as long as you think

While no two divorces are the same, there’s a lot of conflicting information about how long divorces take. And while it’s true that in certain cases–especially when it comes to contested divorces–a divorce can be a multi-year process, that’s typically the exception and not the rule. In fact, over 52% of our survey respondents reported that their divorces took between just one and six months. And remember: the more you and your ex agree on, the more likely your divorce is to move quickly (though lengths will always vary by city and state). 

Here’s why most people hired a lawyer

There are lots of reasons to work with a lawyer for your divorce, but over 33% of those we surveyed moved forward with a lawyer simply because they weren’t comfortable without one. 

24% of respondents reported hiring a lawyer because they thought it would make things easier–which it often does. Divorces are legally and emotionally complex. Divorce lawyers know all the state laws and are there to guide you through the process. They can advise you on what you should and shouldn’t do before and after filing for divorce to minimize conflict. They’ll also make sure that the paperwork is done correctly and completely.

Here’s an example of how it could matter: If the divorce agreement doesn’t include a geographic restriction, your ex could legally move away with your children. That’s why it’s so important to work with a divorce lawyer. 

Lots of people liked their lawyers

There are lots of stereotypes surrounding divorce lawyers, but our survey shows there’s no need to fear. Over 72% of people we surveyed feel like their lawyer cared about their case. As far as the lawyer’s work, over 57% were happy with the job their lawyer did*.  

Case outcomes varied–here’s how to lay the foundation for a smooth divorce 

Not everyone wants a divorce in the first place. And even if you do, there are lots of emotions associated with the official end of a case. But whether you wanted or divorce or not–it’s probably safe to assume you’re hoping you’ll be happy with the outcome. Our survey found that just over 50% (50.5%) of respondents were satisfied** with their case outcome.  

While case satisfaction isn’t possible to ensure in advance, there are a few things you can do to make your divorce run as smoothly as possible, from agreeing with your ex on as many things as possible in advance to doing your research and finding a law firm you trust. 

If you’re still not quite sure where to start, you can book a call with the Marble team–we’ll walk you through our process and help you schedule time for a strategy session with an attorney who can help lay out a plan for your case. No matter what you’re going through, just know that others have been through it before–and that you’ll get to the other side too. 

*We’ve measured “happy with case” as respondents who gave a ranking of 8, 9, or 10 out of 10, with 10 denoting “very satisfied” in the survey 

**8-10, on a scale of 1-10