There are a number of things that can cause a marriage to end. Some factors, however, are responsible for the end of many more marriages than others. One of the most common reasons marriages end is that one spouse is unfaithful to the other. No matter if the adultery was just one act or the result of an ongoing relationship, infidelity has the potential to greatly impact a marriage. In addition to ending a marriage, infidelity can impact a number of other elements of divorce proceedings, which will be discussed below.
Alimony Terms
Perhaps the most noticeable effect that infidelity has on a divorce is that the spouse who commits adultery will often be required to pay a larger amount of alimony. There are a number of other factors that Georgia courts consider, however, which means that sometimes infidelity might not be as influential an element on alimony terms. Georgia law prohibits a spouse who committed infidelity to receive alimony from the other spouse.
The Granting of Child Custody
Infidelity does not make a person a bad parent or a bad individual. If a person is determined to have committed adultery, though, this can have a substantial impact on how a court of law views that individual. As a result, infidelity can lead to a Georgia parent receiving fewer visitation rights. In many cases, infidelity also means that the spouse who was hurt will be less apt to making a custody arrangement that is agreeable to the spouse who was unfaithful. If the parent who committed infidelity remains in a relationship with the “other person,” it is also likely that the former spouse will be even less agreeable to reaching visitation rights for the cheating spouse.
The Division of Property
There are a number of unique factors that Georgia courts consider when dividing marital property during a divorce. One of these factors is marital misconduct, which includes infidelity. Judges take particular notice of cases in which the party who committed the infidelity used marital assets to support the relationship. In many cases, the spouse who used marital assets in this way can expect to receive a much lower portion of the assets after division than he or she otherwise would have. Because infidelity is just one factor that courts consider, however, this is not true in every situation.
Speak to an Experienced Divorce AttorneyThe previously mentioned factors are just some of the ways that infidelity can have a detrimental impact on a marriage. If you are in a marriage that has been impacted by infidelity, one of the best first steps that you can take is to speak with an experienced divorce lawyer. Contact Vayman & Teitelbaum P.C. today to schedule a case evaluation.