Betrayal is one of the most heartbreaking, emotional experiences a married couple can have. Both partners might feel defensive, doubtful, angry and hurt. At this point, you could be re-thinking the whole relationship, trying to decide whether to stay together or call it quits.
Although infidelity might sting and rupture daily life, it doesn’t have to mean that you need a divorce. In fact, some couples may come to see this as a learning experience. Cheating, despite being painful in a closed relationship, could actually bring spouses closer together.
Often, the key to moving past infidelity is a change in perspective. Some partners cheat, not because they are unhappy in the marriage, but because they are unhappy with themselves. It may go beyond physical intimacy. A new flame can help people experience the part of themselves they felt when they were young or just break up the mundane day-to-day pressures of life.
Realizing that a partner still loves and appreciates you can help both of you rebuild trust. If both spouses want to heal the relationship after a partner’s mistake, you may try counseling with a therapist or religious leader.
That said, not all couples feel like they can move on from infidelity. Sometimes, the betrayal is evidence of an issue that can’t be solved. In this case, divorce may actually be the best option.
If you decide that divorce is the best course of action, you can speak with a family law attorney about what to do next. Although Kentucky law allows no-fault divorce after 60 days of separation, you might instead file for a fault divorce. This means that you wouldn’t have to wait out those two months and you might receive a larger share of marital assets under certain circumstances.
Disclaimer: The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice from Sheehan, Barnett, Dean, Pennington, Dexter & Tucker, P.S.C. or the individual author, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this Post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction.
