There is only one smart way to stop a divorce. There are many variations on the theme, but nearly every relationship rescued from the brink of divorce was returned to love and stability because one or both spouses understood the right way to solve the crisis. If you are serious about saving a marriage, you simply must make a decision to do it the right way.

Obviously, saving a marriage requires action. You have to do something if you want anything to change. Before you take that necessary first step toward a great marriage, be absolutely certain that you are in a relationship worth preserving. If your marriage is dangerous or abusive, it may be time to move on to a healthier life. If, however, your marriage is worth saving, you will need to take appropriate action to save it.

The form of that action is what separates successful marriages from those that end in messy, chaotic and expensive divorces. Stopping divorce and moving forward to a better life is going to require that you do things the right way. That means seeking expert guidance.

Yes, that's the right way--getting some professional direction. No, that doesn't mean you need marriage counseling. After all, many estimates indicate that joint counseling only boasts a 20% success rate. What it means is that you need to find a cogent, well-developed methodology to improve your relationship and then follow it.

If you try to "go it alone", the likelihood of experiencing success will be wildly diminished. If you do it the right way, however, you can stop a divorce.