With 58 percent of all Ohio marriages ending in divorce, we talk to people every day who are either considering filing for divorce or already in the process of ending their marriage. Here in Cuyahoga County, the rate is actually slightly higher than the state average, with nearly 63 percent of all marriages ending in divorce.
There are numerous reasons that spouses may choose to get divorced. From infidelity to simply being incompatible, a variety of circumstances can indicate that it is time to move on. Depending on the circumstances, Ohio offers both fault-based and no-fault options for spouses seeking to end their marriages. If you are considering filing for divorce, our experienced Cleveland divorce attorneys can help you weigh your options and choose the path that makes the most sense for you.
Divorce After Cheating: The Ashley Madison Data Breach
AshleyMadison.com is an online “dating” service that caters to husbands and wives who are seeking to have an affair. With roughly 40 million registered users, the site “guarantee[s] you will find the perfect affair partner.”
In August 2015, hackers who had breached Ashley Madison’s data security protections published the records of approximately 32 million of the site’s users. The published information includes log-in credentials, account information, and even records of payment transactions containing the names, street addresses, and email addresses of individuals who arranged secret affairs online. The payment transaction data goes back as far as 2008.
Seeking a Divorce After an Affair
While the rate of divorce based on infidelity is relatively low when compared to other reasons, few grounds for divorce are more unsuspected and emotionally charged. In Ohio, cheating is an acceptable “fault”-based reason for divorce. If your spouse was using AshleyMadison.com and you are seeking to end your marriage, Laubacher & Co.’s divorce attorneys can help you take action to ensure that you receive the custody, support, and property rights you deserve.
As an alternative to filing for an at-fault divorce based on infidelity, you also have the option to file for a no-fault dissolution of marriage. A dissolution is similar to a divorce, except that in dissolution the parties agree to work out the terms of their separation without doing battle in court. Even if your spouse was cheating on AshleyMadison.com or using other means to have an affair, it may still be in your best interests to file for a no-fault dissolution. If you and your spouse can come to terms, keeping your split out of court can be much more cost-effective and have significant benefits for you and your children.
What if I was having an Affair on AshleyMadison.com?
If you were having an affair on AshleyMadison.com and are concerned that your spouse may file for divorce, we would encourage you to contact us right away. There are steps we can help you take to protect your interests and improve your chances of getting the rights you desire out of your dissolution or divorce. But, if your spouse is in the process of filing for divorce, you need to act quickly. It will be important to have a plan in place, and our lawyers can advise and represent you every step of the way.
Contact a Cleveland Divorce Lawyer at Laubacher & Co. Today
Laubacher & Co.’s attorneys provide thorough and compassionate representation backed by decades of experience in divorces and other family law matters. If you live in the Cleveland area and are contemplating a divorce, call (440) 336-8687 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today.