How does adultery affect divorce in Illinois?

How does adultery affect divorce in Illinois? Illinois is a no-fault divorce state, meaning that you do not have to prove marital misconduct to get a divorce. It also means that misconduct like adultery can’t be considered when deciding property division, child support, alimony, and child custody.

What is the punishment for adultery in Illinois?

Adultery is a Class A misdemeanor. It’s a crime punishable by up to a year in prison.

Can you sue for adultery in Illinois?

Adultery Cases in Illinois

While suing a person for criminal conversation or alienation of affection may be possible in some states, it is no longer an option in Illinois. … In fact, in most cases, adultery or infidelity will not play a role in an Illinois divorce.

Does adultery affect custody in Illinois?

Adultery Can Impact Child Custody

Typically, marital infidelity does not impact child custody or visitation, which are called “allocation of parental responsibilities” and “parenting time” in Illinois.

Do judges care about adultery in divorce?

In a purely no-fault divorce state, like California, the court will not consider evidence of adultery, or any other kind of fault, when deciding whether to grant a divorce. … However, if your spouse was unfaithful in your marriage, the court may consider the misconduct in other aspects of the divorce.

Can you sue your spouse for emotional distress in Illinois?

Alienation of affections suits were abolished in Illinois 1/1/2016. Since then, jilted spouses have had to fall back on”intentional infliction of emotional distress” to file suits against interloping paramours for themselves and on behalf of their children.

Do cheaters get alimony?

Does adultery affect alimony? … If you committed adultery, but your spouse permitted it or forgave you and carried on with your marriage even once the affair ended, your instance of adultery will not likely prevent you from receiving an award of alimony.

Is there a homewrecker law in Illinois?

Illinois used to follow alienation of affections laws as well, allowing for damages against an accused homewrecker. … But all of the heart balm laws, including those on adultery, were repealed in 2016.


Do you have to pay alimony if your spouse cheats in Illinois?

Illinois is a no-fault divorce state, meaning that you do not have to prove marital misconduct to get a divorce. It also means that misconduct like adultery can’t be considered when deciding property division, child support, alimony, and child custody.

How do you prove adultery in Illinois?

The Legality of Adultery
  1. The person is married and knows the other person involved in such intercourse is not his spouse, or.
  2. The person is not married and knows that the other person involved in such intercourse is married.

Can you lose custody for cheating?

California is a No-Fault Divorce State

Usually, infidelity does NOT impact property division (unless the cheating spouse wasted marital assets on the affair), spousal support, or child custody, with limited exceptions. In by far the majority of cases, cheating will not affect child custody.

Can you date while separated in Illinois?

From the standpoint of Illinois divorce law, there is nothing preventing you from pursuing a new relationship once the process of divorce has begun. If you choose to date, you will need be careful about what assets you may be using to fund your activities, though.

Can you kick your spouse out of the house in Illinois?

Illinois law about possessing the marital home

The court may temporarily evict a spouse from a home during divorce proceedings under the IMDMA if the other spouse shows that the physical or mental health or well-being of the spouse or children is “jeopardized” by the spouse remaining in the home.