Custody

• Perhaps the most emotional aspect of divorce -- and the factor that causes most conflict -- is the decision on child custody. Since the two parents no longer live together, and any children resulting from the marriage must have a permanent home, the divorce must determine a custodial parent. In many instances, both parents feel they should be the primary residential parent. This can lead to a bitter feud between parents as they and their lawyers fight to prove they are better suited for custody. The court must ultimately decide the situation based on the child's best interest.
  
  

Division of Assets

• One major conflict in divorce concerns the division of assets. Each party in the divorce probably has an idea of what they deserve in the split -- whether it is marital property, money or otherwise. Some couples may go into divorce thinking it is a simple split down the middle, but this is rarely the case. State laws differ widely on this issue. Depending on the state, division of assets is treated as equitable distribution or community property. In an equitable distribution state, a judge takes many factors into consideration, including what each party brought into the marriage, how long the couple was together, the respective earning potential, debt and more. The judge can award either party anywhere between 0 and 100 percent of the assets. In a few states, the law is based on community property, which is a 50-50 split of all assets and debts.
  
  

Angry Parents

• A couple who share a child may become quite angry with each another -- particularly if the couple's relationship ended on bad terms but the partners still have to see each other regularly for child visitation. This conflict between parents can last long after the divorce process is over. It can also have a profound, lifelong effect on children of the marriage. It may affect relationships between one or both parents and the child, and may negatively affect how the child sees relationships as he grows older. Custody fights or the original reasons behind the divorce often lead to long-term anger and bitterness between the parents.
  
  

Inner Conflict

• Divorce can cause considerable inner conflict for those who go through the process. According to the Divorce Reform website, many people who divorce later regret not working harder to keep the marriage together. This and other stress associated with the marriage's dissolving can lead to serious psychological conditions such as depression. According to Mayo Clinic, a recent end to a relationship is among the top risk factors for suicide.