Getting divorced is never easy, but getting divorced because you found out your spouse was having an affair can be devastating. Emotionally recovering from the broken trust while you are going through divorce proceedings proves to be a major challenge for many spouses, who may justifiably wonder: Does an affair affect a divorce proceeding in Illinois? After all, if a spouse’s infidelity ends a marriage, it may seem like it makes sense for there to be consequences.
But no matter who is responsible for the end of a marriage, Illinois is a no-fault divorce state - meaning that the only reason a couple can give for divorce is irreconcilable differences. Cheating, in and of itself, does not affect the process or the outcome of a divorce. However, behaviors and circumstances commonly affiliated with cheating can affect a divorce.
Can Cheating Affect Custody Arrangements?
Allocation of parental responsibilities and parenting time are not directly affected by infidelity. However, if a parent’s new boyfriend or girlfriend poses a risk to the children, this could affect that parent’s ability to spend time with the children. For example, if a new partner has a history of domestic abuse or is a registered sex offender, courts can take this into account when making decisions about a parenting plan.
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