Maryland Adultery Divorce Lawyer

If you suspect that your spouse is having extramarital relations, it is understandable to want to divorce them. The state of Maryland does allow you to list adultery as a legal grounds for marriage dissolution, so you should enlist the help of a steadfast divorce attorney before entering litigation. If you are seeking to dissolve your marriage with an unfaithful spouse, call a Maryland adultery divorce lawyer today to learn more about how you can work to prove your spouse’s infidelity.

Divorce Petition for Adultery

Couples who wish to dissolve their marriage must file a complaint for an absolute divorce and list their grounds for seeking it. A spouse could plead adultery and allege that their partner was unfaithful, that they did not condone it or forgive it, and that they have not engaged in the same conduct.

Maryland is a no fault-based state, but you may classify adultery and such acts under irreconcilable differences grounds for divorce. However, state courts are not concerned about adultery and do not want to get involved with placing blame on one party for infidelity. A seasoned attorney familiar with adultery divorce in Maryland could help a claimant list their reasons for filing and advocate for their legitimacy.

How Can a Person Prove Infidelity?

To prove their case, a person must present evidence in court either through testimony or with documents such as pictures. An estranged spouse must also prove that their partner had an inclination and opportunity to commit adultery. For example, a witness could testify that they saw the alleged adulterer in a restaurant holding hands and kissing someone other than their spouse. Additionally, evidence could be gathered from text messages between the parties which mention the nature of their relationship.

Division of Assets

Maryland courts would consider adultery when awarding monetary awards and dividing marital property equitably. However, adultery on its own is not a deciding factor for how to divide shared assets. Fortunately, a knowledgeable lawyer in Maryland can help an estranged spouse examine their assets and determine a favorable outcome to their adultery divorce proceedings.

What is the Impact of Adultery on Child Custody?

Adultery has zero effects on child custody as long as there is nothing inappropriate taking place in front of minor children. In some situations, a court may order one party to keep their partner away from the kids for a certain period of time if they believe that is in the best interests of the children. This is especially likely if the children are in need of therapy or if there is any kind of stress on them.

Adultery can also affect custody if the partner is an alcoholic, doing drugs, has a criminal background, or has a history of safety concerns regarding the children. In that case, the courts may order a custody arrangement which includes keeping the children away from that person.

Mediation, Arbitration, and Litigation in an Adulterous Divorce

In any divorce on any grounds, the courts would order the parties to go to mediation and/or alternative dispute resolution. There would be many opportunities, including settlement conferences and pretrial conferences, for the parties to meet with their legal counsel to settle the issues of their marriage. Mediation is especially helpful in adulterous divorce because infidelity is a very emotional topic, and litigation is fueled by emotion. So, if the parties can use the tools the court provides them and which are available during litigation to try to settle some of their differences, the issue of adultery usually dissipates and the parties can move forward to settle their entire case.

Contact a Maryland Adultery Divorce Attorney Today

Whether you are certain or only suspect that your spouse has been unfaithful to you, you can file with grounds for divorce in the state. If you need help preparing testimony for your spouse’s infidelity, consult an experienced attorney as soon as possible.

A dedicated Maryland adultery divorce lawyer can help you build a case and work to end your marriage as smoothly and quickly as possible. Call today to schedule an initial consultation where you can learn more about your legal options.