Divorce is on the rise in Hong Kong. Around 19,000 couples applied for a divorce last year - eight times more than in 1981. This figure means that around one in four couples who say 'I will' are doomed to eventually say 'I want out'.
But despite the growing number of divorces in the city, most couples facing up to this daunting challenge have very little or no knowledge about how the courts will divide up the money and assets they have accumulated during their marriage or how much the divorce will cost.
It's not an easy situation for anyone, and is made worse by the breakdown of trust and bitterness it often engenders.
How difficult it gets depends on the couple involved, says family lawyer Sharon Ser, a partner with Facey & Co in association with Withers, Hong Kong.
'A small proportion of couples will have already reached an agreement before meeting a lawyer and they just want the lawyer to make it legal,' Ser says.
'A good proportion will start off on very bad terms but after mediation will settle on an agreement. A huge proportion will settle after the financial disclosure of each party when everyone knows what's on the table and you can work towards a pragmatic settlement.'
The rest are the ones who dig in for the fight and take the battle to the bitter end - sometimes at a huge cost to both parties. Here are some of the vital aspects of divorce proceedings and the costs involved: