Infidelity is a major cause of divorce in the United States. While some think that men cheat more than women, the gap is not as big as one may think. In 2010, almost 15% of women and 21% of men admitted to committing adultery. This data is based on a study conducted by the National Opinion Research Center’s General Social Survey.
If you have found out that your spouse has cheated on you, it is important to decide if the relationship is over or if it can be salvaged. Before making a decision to divorce, step back and see if you can rebuild the trust that has been lost.
The first step in getting over the infidelity is to clear the air about the affair. It is difficult to move on if you are always afraid of the unknown. Ask for access to messages, emails, and phone records. It is beneficial to have a clean slate in order to move forward. If that is unreasonable, then at least ask your spouse to check in occasionally.
The second step involves opening up about the feelings that led up to the infidelity and were left behind. By looking at the contributing factors of their decision to cheat, it may help you move on. It is also necessary to be able to talk at length about how this decision has affected you. By working together, you may be able to move past this mistake.
The third step involves relying on other important people in your life. Friends and family can offer perspective and support during this rough patch. This can allow you to transition to your relationship with your spouse after the infidelity.
Finally after you have come to terms with the extramarital relationship, it is time to reexamine the bond that you have with your spouse. Evaluate if what you have is what you want in terms of your mental, physical and emotional needs. If it happens that you are not able to move on, then you should enlist the help of a legal professional. Contact an experienced family law attorney in DuPage County today.
