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The decision to divorce a partner is never easy. Spouses will lie awake at night contemplating their situations before choosing to take the plunge and end their marriage. Even once the decision has been made, however, an individual still has to break the news to their partner. In most instances, this process is relatively straightforward. The spouse in question is likely to be aware of their partner’s dissatisfaction and – a few beleaguered attempts at reconciliation aside – will probably consent to the divorce almost immediately. Occasionally though, a spouse can be blissfully unaware of matrimonial unhappiness or disharmony and a more subtle approach will be required. Conventional wisdom dictates that the recipient of this news is far less likely to become overly exacerbated if they are informed in a public place. This tends to hold true, but is no guarantee and, furthermore, can be insensitive. In our experience, the best place to tell your partner is at home. Make sure you’re alone and disclose the news in a calm, dispassionate manner. Your partner is likely to protest, but stand firm and remember that you’ve made your decision. In time, they will yield and consent to a divorce. Unfortunately, informing your partner is only the first step. If you have children, you need to inform them too. This can prove to be extremely difficult and whilst it is important that you do not inform your children in too hasty a manner, delaying matters will not help either. Consider precisely what you intend to tell your child and rehearse it remembering to take the child’s age into consideration – if you have more than one child and there is a significant age gap, it may be better to inform the children separately. During this conversation, it is important to inform the child that their parents still love them dearly and that they will see both parents regularly. You should also inform them that the separation is in no way their fault. You should not forget that however well a child reacts to this declaration, the news is certain to have hurt them and you should be prepared to spend additional tie comforting them over the next few weeks, or even months, as a result. Now, following you having spoken to both your partner and your children, the only people you need to inform are your friends and family. This can be difficult but it is an extremely important step. Divorce is a painful process and you will rely heavily upon family and close friends throughout the process. Informing them of your divorce is the first step towards establishing a support group that will care for you throughout the process. Choosing to divorce a spouse is difficult and informing others of your intentions is even harder. Nevertheless, if you are unhappy in your marriage and have concluded that a divorce is the only option, then you need to take action. Remember that whilst it may be difficult to follow through on your intentions, your hard work will result in a new and happier you and allow you. In short, the hard work will be worth it in the long run.