There are many ways couples can end up in court or in adversarial negotiations, like where the children will live or who will get the house.
Ultimately, a bad divorce hurts everyone in the family, the extended family and the friendship circle.
You and your spouse could get so caught up in the conflict and in claiming what you feel is rightfully yours that you lose sight of everything you used to love and respect about this person you had planned to spend your life with, until nothing but bitterness remains.
And eventually, when the dust settles, once you realise that the fight wasn't worth it and you should have done it differently, all you have created is a lifetime of conflict.
The good thing is that it doesn't have to be this way.
You and your spouse don't need to fight tooth and nail for every last cent until you can't stand to be in the same room as each other.
It's possible to have a divorce where, even though you and your spouse might be hurting, you agree to focus on making the best of it, for yourself, your children, and the people who care about your family.
It's possible to reach a settlement that leaves most of your money in your pocket. While you will have to compromise on some things, by working in collaboration you will spend less money on your legal costs, and have the added value of emotional and financial planning support.