This isn't a call to lawyer up, hit the gym, and prepare for battle. It is a tip that it is very educational to talk to a divorce lawyer and learn what is at stake with a divorce. I hemmed and hawed for years thinking the marriage might get better, but never understood that every year I waited to act was more of my money in her pocket. (Fuck "marital assets. She was a lazy shit who did nothing to accumulate wealth.) I was scared about the whole process, but divorce is essentially a business deal, albeit a very emotional one and sometimes a nasty one. I wish I had talked to a lawyer right away so I would understand the facts about what awaited me. It would have prompted me to act more boldly to either repair the marriage or end it.