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It’s an unfortunate fact of life that many marriages end in divorce. It’s estimated that there are more than 800,000 divorces every year in the U.S., and one you have been divorced once, you are more likely to get divorced if you remarry. Going through a divorce can be tough enough, but it is made even tougher if you and your spouse have children. Child custody laws can be difficult to understand and even harder to navigate. If you are going through a divorce and have children, it is a good idea to get a divorce lawyer who is well versed on the child custody laws in your state.

There are more than one million practicing attorneys in the U.S., but finding one with the right expertise for your divorce situation can take some work. A good place to start is by asking friends and family members for recommendations. Once you have a name or two, you can do some research online. Things to look for include what kind of law the person specializes in, any noteworthy cases they have been involved in and whether they have been the subject of complaints or lawsuits.

Once you have the right lawyer for your situation, you need to discuss with that person what your goals are out of the divorce. For example, are you seeking custody of the children? Do you want to keep the house you and your spouse owned? This can help your attorney formulate a plan and also know what bargaining chips he or she may have to use with your spouse’s attorney.

It’s best to keep things as cordial as possible with the other spouse, but that isn’t always possible. However, you are working toward a goal, which is ending the relationship, as well as getting the best possible terms for financial issues and custody. You may have to fight for those things, but keep in mind that being willing to compromise a little on some issues will help the process come to a successful conclusion faster.

Divorce is not fun for anyone involved, but it is a fact of life that many people have to live with. The best thing you can do is find an experienced attorney and follow his or her advice to the letter. Doing so likely will lead to a better outcome.