Columbus Legal Blog

Most married people agree that infidelity is one of the worst things one spouse can do to the other. Marital infidelity is, for many, the one thing that would justify a divorce.

But what impact does adultery have on divorce? Is it a legal ground for divorce? Does there need to be any legal grounds for divorce? And does infidelity impact any of the other aspects of divorce, like child custody or alimony?

For many people, marriage is meant to be a complete sharing of everything: home, vehicles, responsibilities, and even money. But not everyone agrees with this approach. Some think that money is something that each person in a relationship should have on their own.

Although it is common for people to hide assets in their marriages and other committed relationships, this can cause serious problems in a relationship.

Most people can hang on in a difficult relationship through almost anything. Almost anything. Except the most absolutely die-hard committed spouses, marital infidelity (cheating) is the one thing that they cannot work through and keep the marriage alive. It is the last straw for most people.

But for many in a struggling relationship, they aren’t sure whether their spouse is really cheating on them. You might be in this position: You are definitely struggling in the relationship, your partner seems distant and you have your suspicions. But you don’t want to quit on the relationship until you know for sure. What can you do?

The children are often the most pressing concern for divorcing spouses. Traditionally, the divorce process would involve both parties fighting it out in the courtroom, battling for victory on every disputed issue that arises. Far too often, the children are caught in the middle of this battle, and they are the ones who suffer the most in the process.

Divorce mediation can provide a strong solution to the emotional challenges of children in the divorce process. Where traditional courtroom process does little to protect children, mediation offers a process that keeps the children out of the conflict and gets results that are more sensitive the needs of the children.