I have been with my husband for eight years and I am getting really close to telling him I am done. I think this decision has been so difficult because it is not because I do not love him, rather it is because I cannot take the lies and the other alcoholic behaviors. In addition, I am scared how the arguing and his behavior negatively impacts my 3 year old daughter. I interviewed three different lawyers on Long Island. Just to retain a lawyer all three requested $5000 and up. One of the lawyers were even friends with a close member of my family, but still insisted he needed this amount of money for a retainer. I was informed that even if it was the most simple divorce, which it wont be considering I want several rules in regards to our daughter, it will probably cost more than the 5000. If it costs me at the least 5000 then he will also have to retain a lawyer for this amount of money. How are we supposed to afford this amount of money and still be able to pay our mortgage? Anyone have any thoughts or suggestions? I even told my husband that I interviewed three lawyers because of his drinking and he is still going out drinking! I wish we (my daughter and I) were enough to get him to quit, but it does not look like this is going to happen. Thank you for letting me vent!