Legal Definitions - adultery

Adultery is when a married person has sex with someone who is not their spouse. This is considered cheating and can lead to the end of the marriage. In some states, adultery can be used as a reason for divorce. It can also affect how property is divided, how much alimony is awarded, and who gets custody of the children.

For example, in Texas, adultery is defined as "the voluntary sexual intercourse of a married person with one not the spouse." If a married person in Texas has sex with someone who is not their spouse, their partner can use this as a reason for divorce.

Another example is if a married man has an affair with his coworker. If his wife finds out and decides to divorce him, she can use his adultery as a reason for the divorce. This can affect how much money he has to pay her in alimony and who gets custody of their children.

Overall, adultery is a serious breach of trust in a marriage and can have legal consequences.