Key Takeaways
When Infidelity Leads to Divorce, Emotions Run High
Finding out your spouse has cheated can bring a mix of anger, grief, and confusion. When divorce is added into the equation, the emotional toll can make it difficult to think clearly. It is natural to want justice or compensation, but pursuing every detail of an affair does not always produce the outcome people expect.
Many people assume that adultery guarantees more money, more assets, or a better custody arrangement. But in most states, that is not the case.
Watch: Does Cheating Change the Legal Outcome of Divorce?
This video addresses a common question. If your spouse cheated, will it change your divorce outcome? The answer depends on where you live and what you’re asking the court to consider.
In Pennsylvania, for example, adultery is one of seventeen factors courts may review when determining alimony. However, judges are not required to give it significant weight. Other states have their own specific laws regarding the impact of infidelity.
A Real Case Where Emotions Took Over
Petrelli Previtera represented a client named Lucas. He had discovered his wife’s affair and was determined to expose every detail. He requested depositions, extensive discovery, and evidence of the relationship. Lucas believed that proving infidelity would remove any chance of paying alimony.
His reaction was understandable. But after reviewing the legal standards in Pennsylvania and the likely outcome, the team helped Lucas see that this approach was doing more harm than good. It was draining his resources and causing emotional distress.
Once Lucas accepted that focusing on the affair would not give him the result he wanted, he shifted his priorities. He and his attorney turned their attention to a fair settlement. That change led to a successful outcome in his divorce.
What This Means for Your Divorce
The end of a marriage involving infidelity is never easy. But turning the divorce into a battle over the affair often costs more emotionally and financially than it returns.
If your spouse has cheated, the best first step is to understand how your state treats adultery in divorce. Then work with an attorney to develop a plan that protects your financial interests and helps you move forward with clarity.
For more about the legal side of adultery and divorce in Pennsylvania, visit Adultery and Divorce in PA
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The attorneys at Petrelli Previtera help clients through some of the most difficult moments in life. If you are considering divorce and infidelity is a factor, you do not have to figure it out alone.
Contact us today to schedule a confidential consultation.