Am I entitled to support after having an affair?

Full question:

I am a homemaker and have ben married for 25 yrs. I had an affair and my husband knows. Am I not entiitled to anything because of the affai?.

Category: Divorce
Date: 04/07/2025
State: Virginia

Answer:

In Virginia, when determining spousal support, the court considers all relevant evidence. According to Virginia law, a divorce can be granted for adultery (Va. Code § 20-91). However, having an affair does not automatically disqualify a spouse from receiving support. The court may still award support if it finds that denying support would cause manifest injustice, based on the circumstances of the marriage and the fault of both parties (Va. Code § 20-107.1).

The court evaluates various factors, including:

The financial resources and needs of both parties
The standard of living during the marriage
The duration of the marriage
The contributions each party made to the family
The age and health of both parties

Ultimately, while an affair is a significant factor, it does not prevent you from being entitled to spousal support, depending on the overall circumstances of your case.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

What are the three stages of affair recovery?

The three stages of affair recovery typically include: 1) **Impact Stage**: This is when the affair is discovered, and both partners experience shock, anger, and confusion. 2) **Meaning Stage**: In this phase, couples begin to understand the reasons behind the affair and explore their feelings. They may seek counseling to facilitate communication and healing. 3) **Moving Forward Stage**: This final stage involves rebuilding trust and deciding whether to continue the relationship. Couples work on creating a stronger bond and addressing underlying issues. Each stage requires time and effort to navigate successfully.