A lot has changed for women in the last 20 years. In addition to more education and higher wages, women are also seeing more financial gains after a divorce.

A recently released survey by the Pew Economic Mobility Project shows that 20 percent of women will see an increase in their income by 25 percent after a divorce compared to men who will likely only see a 16 percent increase in their income after a divorce.

Traditionally, women saw a decline in their finances after a divorce. Now, twice as many women will see increases in their incomes compared to 20 years ago.

After a divorce, women appear to be succeeding much more so than ever before. It seems that as women advance themselves in their careers, they are less reliant on their husbands for financial support.

Despite the advances for women, a divorce can still be difficult to go through. As couples try to make things work, they may realize that staying together is simply not an option. When that is the case, people may find it beneficial to work with an attorney who is experienced in family law matters.

About half of marriages end in divorce, but every divorce is different. An attorney who has worked with other people who have gone through a divorce, and who understands the details of the law will be able to help sort through the various matters. In addition, an attorney can ensure that their client's rights are protected throughout the entire process.

Source: CBS, "Study: Women new financial winners after divorce," Jan. 18, 2012