Does adultery affect divorce in the UK?
Not in the way most people expect. Adultery has no effect on whether you can divorce, because no reasons are required, and it rarely changes the financial settlement or arrangements for children.
CalmSplit takes you through the no-fault divorce application for a one-off £159, and can prepare a consent order for an agreed financial settlement.
- The divorce application does not record reasons
- Settlements are based on needs and resources, not blame
- Arrangements for children focus on the child's welfare
One-off CalmSplit fee. HMCTS court fees are paid separately to the court.
Check suitabilityThe law changed. Start free and pay £159 when you prepare your application.
See how it worksEffect on the divorce itself
None. The application asks only for a statement of irretrievable breakdown. Adding detail about conduct is not possible and would not help.
Effect on money
- Courts consider income, assets, needs, earning capacity and the welfare of children
- Conduct is only weighed in exceptional cases
- Spending marital money on an affair may sometimes be argued as dissipation of assets
- Independent advice is sensible if significant sums are involved
Effect on children
Child arrangements are decided on the child's welfare, not on how the relationship between the adults ended.
Frequently asked questions
Related CalmSplit pages
Check suitability
The law changed. Start free and pay £159 when you prepare your application.
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