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The often-disgruntled path of divorce doesn't always have to involve conflict. For many couples, an amicable divorce offers a less contentious and more respectful way to end a marriage, focusing on mutual agreement and cooperation.

Relationships are hard work, whether you’ve just started dating someone, are about to get married, or are juggling the responsibilities of raising children. However, if your marriage is ending, you may believe that all that hard work is over—but you’d be wrong.

Divorce, as you may know, is a complicated thing. There are a lot of emotions involved and a lot of questions to be answered. And when you add the legal aspect of divorce into the mix, it can get even more confusing.

Divorce is very common among individuals who are 55 years of age or older. According to the most recent report from the U.S. Census Bureau, divorce rates were highest (approximately 43%) among men and women between ages 55 and 64. Going through a late-life divorce can be emotional yet liberating.

Recent studies have indicated that more than 20% of married men and 13% of married women have committed adultery with at least one other person. While the reality of learning that your spouse has been unfaithful can be devastating, the truth is, committing adultery can also have very real consequences on the divorce process as well.

If you or your spouse have filed for divorce in California, you need to prepare for a lengthy process and possible court appearances. It takes at least six months from the date of a petition to complete the divorce proceedings. A contested divorce that involves child custody, spousal support, or division of assets can take more than a year and require you to appear before a judge.

In California, the divorce rate is 60%, making the state 10% higher than the national average. Going through a divorce can be overwhelming and can have consequences on all aspects of your life. Issues of property or asset division often arise during the divorce process.

Although the divorce rate in California has declined to 6.7%, according to U.S. News & World Report, this information means little to us when we are counted among that percentage.

When it comes to child custody in a divorce case, there are no explicit legal consequences of committing adultery in California. As such, a custody battle can become complex, involving a wide range of considerations, none of which have to do with cheating.

Anyone who has ever had a child or has been around someone who was pregnant or otherwise affiliated with pregnancy can attest to pregnancy being an emotional roller coaster. There are a significant amount of changes that occur as well, from the changing of the body of the mother-to-be to the family dynamics and the housing situation. It can put a substantial amount of added stress on a relationship. For many, the change is just too great for them to bear and the result is divorce.