Can you sue your spouse for infidelity?

Asked by: Janelle Murphy  |  Last update: July 6, 2025
Score: 5/5 (70 votes)

Short Answer: No. As mentioned above, technically, the other person involved in the cheating could be charged with a crime; however, for the reasons stated above regarding the unlikelihood of having your spouse charged with adultery, it would be even more unlikely that the other person would be charged.

In what states can you sue your spouse for cheating?

Actually, six states allow a lawsuit for tortious interference with marital relations. These states are Hawaii, Illinois, New Mexico, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Utah. New York is not one of them.

What is the difference between adultery and infidelity?

Infidelity is a broad term that encompasses emotional, financial, and physical betrayals and can occur in any committed relationship, whether or not the couple is married. Adultery, on the other hand, specifically refers to a married individual engaging in sexual relations outside the marriage.

What to do if your spouse is cheating?

Firstly, try to have an open and honest conversation with your spouse to express your concerns and feelings. Keep an open mind and listen to their perspective as well. If suspicions persist, consider seeking professional help, such as couples therapy, to work through the issues in a constructive way.

Can you sue a cheating spouse for emotional distress?

You can sue your spouse for infidelity, but not the other person. You can only sue someone for emotional distress if you can prove that their actions were done intentionally only to harm you.

What Rights Do You Have If Your Spouse Cheats On You?

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How much can you sue for infidelity?

In California, infidelity is not a crime or tort (civil wrongdoing), meaning there is no legal consequences of committing adultery and you cannot file a lawsuit against your spouse for having an affair.

What are my rights if my husband cheated on me?

So, to be clear: the court does not afford you specific rights if there was cheating but infidelity can tip the scales in your favor and impact your case. This may include changing property division and also allow for certain temporary injunctions while your divorce for cheating case is pending.

When to walk away after infidelity?

A few reasons to consider walking away are if the unfaithful partner is unable to show genuine remorse, is refusing to take accountability for their choices, or if they are continuing to engage in dishonest behavior.

How to treat a person who cheated on you?

How to Move Forward when someone cheats
  1. Make sure there is remorse.
  2. Be honest about why it happened.
  3. Remove temptations to re-engage with the affair.
  4. Move forward with brutal honesty and care.
  5. Be selective about who you tell.
  6. Consider working with a licensed therapist.

Can you go to jail for adultery?

In general, 3 US states criminalize it as a felony (Oklahoma, Michigan, and Wisconsin) and 13 states along with Puerto Rico criminalize it as a misdemeanor.

Where do most affairs start?

The 6 most common places where affairs start
  • In the office. The workplace is traditionally the place where people have the most affairs, Macleod said. ...
  • At the gym. ...
  • On social media. ...
  • Through a social circle. ...
  • At a volunteering gig. ...
  • In church.

Does sexless marriage justify adultery?

The answer is an emphatic NO! A sexless marriage does not ever justify infidelity. Infidelity does not lead to anything good. Cheaters always get caught and it causes great distress for both partners and could possibly ruin any chance of relationship healing.

What state is infidelity illegal?

California is an example of a state that does not criminalize adultery. Like many other states, California is a no-fault state.

How does suing for emotional distress work?

In an emotional distress claim, proving that the defendant acted with intent is key. This means showing that they knew or should have known their actions would cause serious distress. Your lawyer will start by gathering evidence such as emails or text messages, which can be crucial in establishing this intentionality.

Can you sue for being cheated on?

Filing an alienation of affection lawsuit requires proof that your marriage was a happy and loving one and that the third party intentionally destroyed your marriage. Unfortunately, only a handful of states still recognize this type of lawsuit, and California is not one of them.

What are the 5 stages of cheating?

The five stages of guilt after cheating, which come from the Kübler-Ross 5 stages of grief, are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. The grieving process is super complex and fluid, so these stages are more to give you a general sense of what you might feel than tell you how it's going to play out.

Should you stay with someone who cheated on you more than once?

Ultimately, there is no set formula for whether you should stay together or not. You and your partner will need to decide both individually and together if there are enough positive elements in your relationship to make the difficult work of healing worthwhile.

When should you not forgive a cheating spouse?

You don't have to forgive them if you're uncomfortable with the idea. You may have an intuitive sense that they'll hurt you again. Your well-being is what matters the most. If you feel like your partner isn't going to change or doesn't have the desire to make behavioral shifts, you have the right to move on.

Who is at fault when a spouse cheats?

Both parties in an affair share responsibility, though not necessarily in equal measure. The spouse breaches the trust and commitment of their relationship, while the affair partner knowingly contributes to the breakdown of another's emotional world. At the end of the day, blame doesn't resolve the pain caused.

How to prove infidelity in court?

How Do You Prove It. The person alleging adultery must prove that their spouse committed an adulterous act via direct evidence (e.g., eyewitness accounts; admissions by the guilty spouse and/or the paramour) or, more often, via circumstantial evidence.

Can I sue my husband for financial infidelity?

This is often handled within the divorce process rather than as a separate lawsuit. While direct lawsuits for the act of financial infidelity are not typically viable, the legal system provides mechanisms through divorce and marital property laws to address and remediate the financial damage caused by such actions.

Is fantasizing about someone else cheating?

Inherently, fantasizing about someone else while in a relationship may be innocent since fantasies are simply thoughts. However, some people may characterize those thoughts as cheating, even if they never lead to any action.

How to ignore a cheating husband?

Here are a few expert ways to ignore your cheating husband:
  1. Do Not Expect Anything From Your Husband. ...
  2. Focus On Yourself / Live for Yourself. ...
  3. Do not Tell the World About His Infidelity. ...
  4. Confide In A Trusted Loved One. ...
  5. Do Things to Boost Your Self-Esteem. ...
  6. Take Time To Grieve Your Relationship.

What qualifies as emotional cheating?

Emotional cheating involves developing a closeness with another person that interferes with your connection to your partner. Instead of focusing this attention on your partner, you are giving that emotional investment to someone outside of your relationship.