There are many common reasons for divorce. One of the most common reasons is also considered one of the cruelest and devastating: Infidelity. Finding out your spouse has been unfaithful can be one of the most traumatic and emotionally destructive moments of your life. You may want to uncover the potential legal consequences of infidelity in an Illinois divorce. A Springfield divorce lawyer can help.

When you find out your spouse has betrayed you in the worst way, it’s okay to feel betrayed, confused, angry, and even emotionally checked out. No one can tell you how you’re supposed to feel, and infidelity can affect everyone in different ways. 

What you shouldn’t do is lash out or take your anger out on the wrong people, such as your family, friends, or even your kids. You’ve got to do things the right way. Infidelity won’t directly affect your divorce in Illinois, but it can affect it indirectly.

Why Hire a Divorce Lawyer?

A divorce stemming from one partner’s infidelity is almost guaranteed to be painfully contested. The last thing you want is to end up unprepared in negotiations or in a courtroom, where your spouse is most likely going to have their own legal representation. At Stange Law Firm, our multi-state legal team has provided support to countless clients across many different states. We can offer you a personal, compassionate approach to your case, as well as consistent support.

The respective divorce and marriage rates in Illinois are paradoxical. According to recent data gathered by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Illinois has a considerably low divorce rate of only 1.1 per 1,000 residents as of 2022. At the same time, a recent poll by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) saw over 50% of polled individuals identifying as one half of a married couple. 

You’re not alone in pursuing divorce, but you’re not alone in staying married either.

Facing the public and legal fallout of infidelity can be difficult to deal with on your own. Thankfully, you don’t have to deal with it alone. Talking to people who have been through their own insurmountable marital issues can be healthy for you. It can give you additional perspectives and reassure you that you’re making the right choice. You may want to reach out to a local divorce support group like DivorceCare or The Lilac Tree to get the right kind of help.

Moving Past Infidelity

There are many ways you can try to move past infidelity and focus on your divorce, and not all of them are healthy. Some of them can negatively affect your life in other ways and create permanent trust issues that will affect your future relationships. You don’t want that to happen. You should prioritize healthy coping strategies and ways that you can move forward with your divorce without dwelling on the past. Here are some ways you can accomplish this:

  • The first thing you should do is take comfort in your loved ones. They may be feeling just as betrayed and hurt as you are in all this, and they may just want to make sure you’re okay. Build a strong support system out of your family, friends, neighbors, and others who care about you. Consider taking up a new hobby or revisiting an old one. Do what you can to take your focus away from the pain of infidelity.
  • Eventually, you will have to confront your spouse about what happened if you haven’t done so already. Communicate openly and effectively. Tell your partner how this ordeal has made you feel and how it has impacted your life. Addressing your grievances and what has led you both to this position may be the only way for you to truly get closure, if closure is what you seek.

FAQs

Q: Is It Possible for a Marriage to Move Past Infidelity?

A: Yes, it may be possible for a marriage to move past infidelity, but it depends on the marriage. However, it will require complete transparency, total commitment to change, and the desire of both partners to want that change. It’s quite common for infidelity to completely destroy a marriage, as it can shatter trust irreparably. It doesn’t matter if it’s a one-time lapse in judgment or a one-time affair. To many, cheating is cheating, and that’s the end of it. 

Q: How Does Infidelity Affect an Illinois Divorce?

A: Infidelity won’t affect asset division in an Illinois divorce, as Illinois is a no-fault divorce state. However, infidelity can affect various elements of the divorce in indirect ways. If your spouse was using marital funds to finance their affair, that can affect their divorce settlement. The court may view infidelity as evidence of poor judgment, which can affect child custody. Your lawyer can help make sure their infidelity is part of the record at the very least.

Q: Will a Prenuptial Agreement Hold Up in Illinois?

A: Yes, a prenuptial agreement will generally hold up in Illinois, provided it meets the state’s criteria for enforceability. A prenup lays out the guidelines for divorce, including a potential infidelity clause that can prevent your partner from getting anything if they cheat. Make sure you consult with your lawyer and discuss the strength of the prenup. You should know how it will affect the divorce settlement.

Q: Should I Hire a Divorce Lawyer?

A: Yes, you should absolutely hire a divorce lawyer. Getting divorced is one thing. Getting divorced because your partner was cheating on you is something else. It’s probably going to turn into a contested divorce, which can be difficult to handle on your own. Having the right divorce lawyer in your corner from start to finish can make all the difference, especially if your spouse is bitter and trying to make things unbearable for you.

Contact Us Today

At Stange Law Firm, we can help you work through your divorce and devise coping strategies for dealing with the infidelity you may have discovered. Contact us to speak to someone on our legal team about how we can help your case.