Marilyn Stowe is lawyer whose firm is one of the leading divorce specialists in the UK.

Needless to say she's seen more than a few couples at breaking point and had to untangle where it all went wrong. 

Esquire sat down with her to learn all the relationship wisdom she's gleaned from being on the firing line of love.

As a divorce lawyer you see everything. It's pretty clear if someone else is involved even if the client doesn't know it yet.

Having it all at once is impossible. You can have it all but it comes in different stages.

A sense of humour is vital if you're going to last. You need to be able to laugh through tough times.

Sexual attraction fades. The physical aspect is the most important part of your relationship until routine kicks in. The trick is finding something to replace it.

A relationship where you're just drifting along isn't one that should end in marriage.

Remember: break-ups aren't all bad. They can be a release from a really unhealthy relationship.

Social media is dangerous. Often people have affairs that are based on the thrill of secrecy but are boring as soon as you're caught. 

Be worried if your partner starts getting dressed up for the gym. From what I've seen it's a place where a lot of affairs begin. That many good bodies on display is a recipe for disaster.

Living together is not the same as getting married! A lot of people happily co-habit thinking they can walk away but you legally can't once you're husband and wife.

I handled an entire divorce without the husband knowing he'd sent most of the texts meant for his mistress to his wife. Synced devices catch a lot of people out too.

You will be attracted to other people. You can't control that, but you can control how you respond.

People are entitled to privacy, having all of each others passwords isn't necessarily a good thing.

My job hasn't made me cynical. I understand we're all human and have weaknesses. It's made me see if you've got a relationship worth fighting over you're lucky.