Can you get alimony if your husband cheated? In the United States, adultery won't and can't affect alimony. State laws prescribe when a spouse is eligible for alimony. Except in a very few jurisdictions, divorce courts have no power to punish an adulterous spouse.
Utah law spells out a number of factors that judges must consider when they're deciding whether to award alimony and, if so, how much and for how long. Judges may also consider the spouse's wrongful conduct, including adultery. (Utah Code § 81-4-502 (2024).)
Generally, in determining alimony, the court considers the parties' standard of living at the time of separation. In short marriages with no children, the court may consider the standard of living when the marriage began. Sometimes, the court will try to equalize the parties' standards of living.
When you live in Utah, you have the option of filing for divorce based on your spouse's adultery. If you can prove that claim, it might impact alimony. But be aware that there are other factors judges will take into consideration.
Some reasons why an ex-spouse might not be entitled to receive alimony include: The ex-spouse does not meet the legally required level of financial need. You are not financially able to provide alimony to your ex-spouse. Your ex-spouse is at fault for the divorce, due to having an affair or another cause.
In Utah, adultery was even considered a class B misdemeanor criminal offense until the law was repealed in 2019. Under Utah law, adultery occurs when a married person voluntarily has sexual intercourse with a person other than their spouse. Adultery can also affect the divorce process.
Can you get alimony if your husband cheated? In the United States, adultery won't and can't affect alimony. State laws prescribe when a spouse is eligible for alimony. Except in a very few jurisdictions, divorce courts have no power to punish an adulterous spouse.
In Utah, the law mandates that the judge may order alimony only up to the number of years that the marriage lasted. So if the couple was married for 17 years, the support can last up to 17 years. Any extension will be at the discretion of the family court.