Infidelity as a Reason for Divorce and the Consequences

 Posted on June 27, 2016 in Divorce

Though extramarital affairs hardly carry the same weight of negative connotation that they did a half century ago, infidelity is still among the leading causes for divorce in American marriages. Marital infidelity is also serious issue when it comes to the process surrounding the dissolution of a marriage in court. The projected numbers as to the frequency of extramarital affairs are staggering: an estimated 45–50 percent of all married women and an estimated 50–60 percent of all married men in America have been unfaithful to their spouse at one point during the marriage, suggesting that a whopping half of all marriages in the country have, at some point, been affected by infidelity.

Not a Marital Death Sentence

This is not to say that all people who face the issue of infidelity in a marriage are destined for divorce. An estimated nearly two-thirds of all couples affected by infidelity choose to work through the issues and not to divorce as a direct result of the affair. To be fair, statistics that estimate how many couples stayed together initially but were unable to ultimately work it out are unavailable. Not all of the reasons for a couple staying together after one spouse is unfaithful are necessarily good ones, and not all marriages are truly worth saving, sadly. Many couples stay together because they are more afraid of being alone, are nervous about the impact on divorce, or because of financial implications.

Potential Impact

If you have been the cheating partner in a marriage and your spouse has initiated divorce proceedings, it is imperative to speak with an attorney. Though Illinois is a no-fault state, meaning that neither spouse will technically be punished for his or her failings in the actual nitty-gritty of the marriage, infidelity can affect the outcomes of a divorce proceeding. It can affect the matter financially, as the spouse who was cheated on may argue that the affair led to emotional alienation or abandonment. It may affect the outcome regarding your relationship(s) with your children, as the slighted spouse may argue that the cheating spouse is an unfit parent. Additionally, it will almost certainly affect the divorce process emotionally, as cases involving infidelity are often more heated and more angry than those which do not involve such a personal offense.

Get Legal Guidance

If you or someone you know is considering divorce because one partner committed infidelity, the most important step is to seek legal counsel. Contact an experienced Kane County family law attorney today to learn more about your available options. Schedule your free initial consultation by calling 630-879-9090.

Sources:

http://www.divorcemag.com/articles/frequently-asked-questions-about-infidelity

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/18/your-money-does-cheating-_n_2323208.html