If you asked ten different people to define the word “cheating,” you’d probably get ten different answers. Some people feel that only sexual contact counts as cheating, while others find emotional affairs just as disturbing, if not more so. Because so many definitions exist, it’s imperative that you and your spouse agree on the same one – but what if you never did? Worse, what if your spouse crossed the line into what you feel is the realm of cheating, but they feel differently?
Emotional Cheating: Drawing the Line
When your spouse becomes emotionally involved with someone else, you might consider that a “deal-breaker.” Emotionally involved can mean several different things, and it’s up to you to decide where you draw the line. Once you discover emotional infidelity, it can be a good idea to seek counseling, both individual and couples. However, it may also be time to set a meeting with a Durham divorce lawyer.
How Do Emotional Affairs Start?
Emotional affairs often start out as friendships. They can even start in online forums, on social media, or through gaming platforms. This doesn’t mean you should be suspicious of your spouse’s friendships – it just means that friendships have the potential to turn into more, particularly when one spouse feels that their emotional needs aren’t being met at home.
Can You Rebound from a Breach of Trust?
Talking to a lawyer can help you make the right decision, because they will explain how child custody, alimony, and other factors will play a role in your life if you choose to divorce your spouse.
While you can get a divorce from bed and board based on infidelity, you’ll have to discuss the specifics of your case with your attorney. North Carolina permits divorce without having to prove fault, so you can leave your spouse over emotional cheating. The question isn’t whether you can get a divorce; the question is whether you can rebound from your spouse’s emotional affair.
