Sometimes when one party cheats in a relationship, at least part of the relationship can be repaired by simply apologizing, admitting what happened was wrong, and attending counseling. However, sometimes feelings are so deeply hurt that the offended party feels like there is no other choice but divorce. This, of course, is when it is time to get a California divorce attorney.

A large number of men and women wind up cheating on their spouses for a variety of reasons, but in the end the only thing you can do is figure out how to deal with the consequences of your actions.

The first thing you should stop doing today is making excuses for the situation. Allow the other spouse to vent and express their feelings. He or she may have questions; make sure you answer them honestly. Although you don’t need to allow yourself to be verbally or physically abused, as long as you are safe, allowing your spouse to express how he or she feels should be encouraged.

Then you can see if you can work through the problems that your affair has caused. Sometimes, through hard work and trust-building exercises, some of the damage can be repaired and over time, the marriage can function as it once did. This can be a long and very difficult process, depending on how offended your spouse is, and how much your actions hurt them. Both parties will have to be committed to making it work through thick and thin.

If, in the end, you cannot work it out, then divorce is a healthy option for you. Even if divorce was never something you planned on in your life, it’s time to take a deep breath and accept that it’s going to happen. This is a good time to check out some Californian divorce attorneys to see which will suit your case and to ensure you are treated fairly in court.