Choosing to end your marriage is a big decision, and not one you should make lightly. It’s important to keep in mind that your boundaries and reasons for wanting a divorce matter. Divorce is sometimes the result of incompatibility, resentment, or infidelity. Finding out your partner was unfaithful can be painful, emotional, and infuriating. It’s understandable to want to end your marriage, and a Columbia divorce lawyer can come up with a plan of action.
Infidelity can be one of the most life-altering realizations you ever have. It can fundamentally change the way you view relationships if you let it. Since Missouri is a no-fault divorce state, your partner’s infidelity may not directly affect the divorce settlement, but there are ways that it could affect things indirectly, such as through asset division or child custody. The importance of an experienced divorce lawyer cannot be overstated if your divorce becomes contested.
Make Sure You Hire the Right Lawyer
If your partner cheats on you and you decide to get divorced, there is a strong chance your spouse may decide to make things difficult for you. That is why it is so important to hire the right divorce lawyer who can help you protect yourself and build a strong case.
The last thing you want is your cheating spouse to take everything from you in the divorce. At Stange Law Firm, our multi-state legal team has helped countless clients with their cases through a focused and personalized approach.
One thing you may want to focus on is understanding the rates of marriage and divorce in your state. These statistics can validate your decision to end things and make you feel better about your decision.
According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Missouri has a high divorce rate of 2.6 per 1,000 residents as of 2023. The marriage rate, however, is quite low at just 5.8 per 1,000 residents as of 2023, according to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.
Cheating is something that affects and hurts a lot of people around the world. You can reach out to an infidelity support group in the area, like Infidelity Survivors Anonymous or Affair Recovery. Surrounding yourself with people dealing with the same thing that you are can give you a new perspective on your own situation. You can have an area free of judgment to discuss what you’ve been through and voice your fears and hopes about the future.
Moving Past Infidelity
Choosing to move past infidelity is not easy. You may still have a lot of resentment and anger towards your spouse or towards yourself for not noticing it sooner. It is important that you do not shut yourself off from others. Prioritize healthy coping strategies that encourage socializing or moving on. The following are some healthy ways you can start trying to move past everything that happened and focus on your immediate future:
- It’s vital that you don’t make any rash decisions during this process. Acting out of emotion is fairly common when you learn of your partner’s infidelity, but you should do what you can to remain focused on the task at hand. Document everything and take comfort in your lawyer’s advice. They can help you meet filing deadlines and avoid costly mistakes.
- Another thing you may want to consider doing is confronting your ex about everything that happened. Depending on how you found out, you may have left without having a final conversation or learning the details of the affair. For your own sake and for the sake of closure, you may want to consider sitting down and having that last conversation, if you are able to. Then, if you wish, you may never have to see them again.
FAQs
Q: What Are the Legal Grounds for Divorce in Missouri?
A: Since Missouri is a no-fault divorce state, the only valid reason for a divorce is that the marriage has become irretrievably broken. In a no-fault state, the court generally will not consider your spouse’s misconduct, regardless of what it is, when determining the divorce settlement. If your spouse denies that the marriage is broken, you will likely have to convince the court that it actually is, which is where documenting everything comes into play.
Q: Will Infidelity Affect My Divorce?
A: In Missouri, infidelity typically will not directly affect the overall divorce settlement, since Missouri is a no-fault divorce state. However, proof of infidelity can affect other elements of the divorce in indirect ways. If your spouse was paying for their affair with marital funds, that can impact asset division. Proof of cheating can also be evidence of your spouse’s poor judgment, which can impact the custody arrangement, if applicable
Q: Do I Have to Get Separated Before I Can Get Divorced?
A: No, you are not legally required to get separated before you can get divorced in Missouri. However, getting separated can be a good way to prove that the marriage is broken. Legal separation is a common first step towards a divorce, as it can show you what the divorce might look like. If you have any questions about the overall divorce process, you should ask your lawyer. They can help you pursue legal separation if that’s what you want to do.
Q: Should I Get a Lawyer?
A: Yes, you should get a lawyer. While it is not a legal requirement for you to hire a lawyer, it is still recommended that you do so anyway, just to be safe. A divorce that comes out of infidelity can be particularly harsh if your spouse chooses to make things difficult for you out of spite, which can happen. A good lawyer’s help can prove to be of great value during this trying time.
Contact a Lawyer Today
The skilled legal team at Stange Law Firm can help you work through your divorce and ensure that you are not taken advantage of during this process. Contact our firm to schedule a consultation and learn what we can do for you.