What Impact Does Adultery Have On Child Custody In A Divorce?

Posted Jan 12, 2013 by Mary E. Ramos | Child Custody, Divorce

Does Adultery affect child custody in Texas?

There is no clear-cut answer to the relationship between adultery and child custody. A judge must look at the best nterests of a child when making a child custody determination. The existence of adultery may affect a judge’s decision regarding child custody but absent a strong case the adultery has had a negative impact on the child, it will likely have little impact. It is up to the individual judge to examine the facts and circumstances of an alleged affair to decide if it will have any impact on child custody.

Factors of Consideration

Whether adultery affects child custody in Texas is the decision of the judge. Judges are more willing to consider the existence of adultery when one of the parents has engaged in the affair in front of the children. A divorce can be a difficult and confusing time for children. A parent who blatantly conducts an affair in the presence of the child is showing very poor judgment, which the judge could take into consideration when awarding custody.

New Romantic Partners

A related issue to adultery and child custody is introducing your child to new romantic partners during the pendency of your divorce. While you may have begun divorce proceedings and are separated from your spouse, it can be very confusing for a child, no matter their age, to be introduced to a new boyfriend or girlfriend.

Having a new romantic partner living with the child is frowned upon by almost all family law judges. Some judges are so very much against the idea of prematurely introducing new romantic partners to children that if such an event occurs during the pendency of your divorce they may make a custody determination based on the fact you were apathetic in considering the best interest of your children. New romantic partners can give the opposing party effective arguments about adultery and child custody so it’s best to proceed with caution.

Temporary Orders

Judges can circumvent new romantic partners being around the children by including morals clauses in temporary orders. Such a clause states that no unrelated members of the opposite sex may be in the home with the children during specific hours of the night. These clauses may apply to members of the same sex in some cases. Adultery affects child custody in Texas the most when these orders are in place, and especially if they are breached.

If going through a divorce, it’s best to wait until the custody arrangement has been determined and the divorced finalized before introducing a new romantic partner into the children’s life; both for the good of your children and your pending divorce suit.

Connect With An Attorney

If you or your spouse has committed adultery before or during the divorce process, it’s important to secure competent legal representation for the best possible outcome. As a board certified family law attorney, Mary E. Ramos has the knowledge, experience, and reputation you’re looking for when you’re going through a divorce. Consider these tips regarding adultery and child custody and schedule a consultation with our attorneys at Ramos Law Group, PLLC, today.

Last Updated on March 19, 2019 by Mary E. Ramos