Is Adultery Illegal in Florida?
Although cheating is universally frowned upon in polite society, it is also a second degree misdemeanor in Florida. This law can be found under statute 798.01 where it states, “Whoever lives in an open state of adultery shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.” In cases where both participating parties are both still married, they will both be guilty of this offense.
Despite this law being on the books, people are rarely ever prosecuted for it. However, if two people decide to live together as if they are married while still legally married to someone else, then they are subjecting themselves to potential prosecution under Florida’s law.
Despite this threat of legal action hanging over Florida residents’, this law is not often acted upon.
There are people who have cheated on their spouses in Florida and have avoided the consequences. The potential penalty for committing adultery in Florida is to be convicted of a misdemeanor, being sentenced to imprisonment not exceeding three months, or a fine of up to $500.
Is It Necessary to Prove That There Was Cheating?
To file for divorce in Florida, you are not required to prove that there was cheating in the marriage. All you have to do is inform the court that the marriage has been broken beyond repair.
Role of Adultery in Divorce
Florida does have a no-fault divorce policy, which means that even the spouse who cheated can file for divorce. Despite this, cheating does play a role when it comes to divorce. It can have an impact on how the divorce is settled in rare circumstances.
For example, if one was unfaithful in the marriage, this can have an impact on how the assets are divided. Furthermore, if there were any children born into the marriage, the infidelity may be taken into consideration when deciding custody, visitation rights and even the role of primary residential parent.
Although a court of law does not highlight infidelity as a factor when determining what is in the best interest of the child, they will look at the “moral fitness” of both parents. This means that the court may decide that this reflects negatively on the “moral fitness” of the parent who was unfaithful.
If you have questions about this, contact Emily, expert Orlando Divorce Attorney.
Emily A. Konicek brings 14 years of experience to your family law concerns. Emily excels at mediation, negotiation and litigation, and can help you pursue a course of action that helps you meet your goals for the future and for your family.
