The Ashley Madison hacking scandal has rocked the world of some 37 million people - that's the number of users the site has, and the number of people at risk of having their information exposed to the world.

Surely, nobody feels too bad for adulterous individuals being exposed to the husbands and wives they were cheating on. The whole tagline of the site "Life is short. Have an affair" certainly doesn't win any positive feelings amongst those in committed relationships and looking to maintain them.

Regardless though, what the Ashley Madison scandal does showcase is the always important need to protect oneself and your own best interests. Even in relationships where it seems like everything is going great, nothing could ever go wrong, and the two partners will always be perfect for each other and happily in love, things could still end badly.

Of course, the statistics bear this out in reality. A staggering number of marriages end in divorce, and most of those marriages are started by two people who have the best of intentions. Things go badly though, and it could happen for any reason.

Certainly, that includes infidelity, and having an affair is a surefire path towards the destruction of a marriage. It's also, as a grounds for divorce, one that will clearly put the fault of the split on the adulterous party, when there's proof that one person cheated.

It's always best to be cautious and to take action to protect yourself. And in this case, that doesn't simply mean a stronger password on a website where you are pursuing illicit affairs.

What this really refers to is taking precautions in terms of prenuptial agreements. While many people frown upon these, the truth is that they serve a very valid purpose. They're very useful, even when two people are very happy in the relationship.

Pursuing a prenuptial agreement is not a signal that the marriage is doomed to fail, but instead, is simply a matter of taking necessary precautions, and realizing that the potential is always there for things to end badly. A legal agreement such as this will help to eliminate the stress and hassle of a separation and divorce, and hopefully make for a swifter, smoother resolution.

Surely, this Ashley Madison hacking scandal is going to have a lot of fallout. Many marriages may in fact be damaged or ended as a direct result. It's simply another sign that individuals getting married, even when happy and in the best of positions, should take action to protect themselves and their own interests, because the unhappy reality is that marriages do often fail.

When you're ready to find your new Maryland divorce lawyer, visit the Law Offices of Brandon Bernstein, LLC, at BrandonBernsteinLaw.com. Mr. Bernstein is a 2014 & 2015 Super Lawyers Rising Stars award winner in Maryland. His firm is ready to help with any legal matter pertaining to family law, from Maryland prenuptial agreements to separation agreements, divorce litigation, alimony, child support, and more.

This article does not represent legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. Always consult with an attorney before making any legal or financial decisions.