So, that same “special someone” who vowed to be with you through thick and thin turned out to be a cheater. Now what do you do? Unfortunate as it may be, a case of cheating brings with it several other problems like child custody issues, heated arguments, and potentially “the talk” with the children. While there’s no easy way to work through this kind of situation, it becomes less complicated when you’re 100 percent sure about all of your claims and do research to hire the right mediators for the case.
Here’s how you can make sure your spouse really is a cheater, gather important proof, and search for the best legal advice for your custody case.
Are you sure they’re cheating on you?
Jumping to the conclusion that your spouse is a cheater isn’t the best approach. You should first take a step back and find evidence and clues to back your suspicions. Here are a few ways you can find out if your spouse might be cheating:
- Hire a private investigator to follow them.
- If both of you use the same computer, check the browser history.
- If you know their password, check the text messages on your partner’s phone. Do this at your own peril.
- Track their real-time GPS location.
- Install a hidden camera at home.
- Check their social media accounts (Snapchat, Twitter, Instagram) for any suspicious DMs or replies.
These are all helpful though risky steps you can take, but one of the best ways to catch a cheater is by performing a reverse phone-number lookup. This way you’ll know exactly who your spouse is calling without leaving any traces. If you can use these tools to confirm any of your suspicions, there’s a good chance they’re a cheating spouse.
Leave the house for a while
No one deserves to share a home with a spouse who’s a cheater. After what they’ve done, you deserve some alone time to clear your head, practice self-care, and make some important decisions. If possible, go to a hotel, a friend’s house, or your parent’s house. It’s especially helpful if you decide to live temporarily with someone who can give you emotional support at this trying time.
If you can’t leave the house because of your kids, it’s a good idea to tell your spouse to sleep somewhere else, at the very least. This will give you some breathing room to make major decisions (such as the possibility of divorce) and learn the basics of child custody should the case end up in family court.
If you’re considering divorce, hire a qualified family law attorney
A child’s life can be turned upside down if their parents get a divorce, regardless of their age. It’s easier if the couple has no children, but when they do, deciding who gets custody is the hardest part of the process. In this case, don’t leave your kids in the dark. If possible, take them to a psychologist to help them understand the situation better.
Once you have a good attorney, you’ll learn there are different types of custody that the family court can choose from. Some of them include sole custody, joint custody, and temporary custody, all of which vary depending on the custody agreement made by the court and both parents. The court order also includes a parenting plan, which details the type of custody and rules both parents must respect after the divorce has gone through.
The custody decision will depend on the child’s best interests. That means the custodial parent will have a stronger connection with the child, no criminal records, and of course, the child will prefer to stay with them. Depending on the court’s final decision, the other party may be granted visitation rights to see their kids weekly. They’ll still need to pay for child support, which covers basic necessities like the child’s school, health care, and other services.
You might not know how long your spouse has been a cheater, but when you find out for certain they are, you should make the right decision as early as possible for the sake of your wellbeing, as well as your child’s.
