Opinion plz: Would it be reasonable for a spouse to refuse a separation or divorce ...?

until the children of the marriage reached adulthood (legal age)? The situation being that one of the spouses is being unfaithful and wants a divorce while the faithful spouse is fully aware of the infidelity. Additionally, both spouses contribute to the household equally ($).

Is it reasonable for the faithful spouse to stay in the relationship? Why or why not?

Plz & Thx

2010-06-27T21:30:02Z

The faithful spouse has simply accepted the infidelity and chooses to remain in the marriage until the children are of legal age.

The only hostility is coming from the unfaithful spouse who is being refused a separation and/or divorce.

2010-06-27T23:47:13Z

Ladies and gentlemen: This situation is not mine. Were it mine, I'm quite certain I'd have added much more detail.

It is merely hypothetical. So, please refrain from advising me to seek counseling.

Mac S = Happily single and childless

♫Grappler's Crossing ♂ ♪2010-06-28T00:28:18Z

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I thank the honourable member for Macesse for raising that question. As is well and truly advertised, my party is dedicated to an absolute policy that the person who wishes to break up a marital relationship is the one who goes out in the world and leaves home and family behind. Under no circumstances does that person take home and family with him/her, since the home and family were set up, not for the benefit of that person, but of the family.

Therefore, the legal nicety becomes:- If one person wishes a divorce, and the other does not - how do we determine who gets the house and kids? This issue is covered in the principle that, before the Unfamily Court, only the person who wishes to state to that court that they wish to leave will be shown the door. If both say they are not the one who wishes to leave, there is no case, and both are sent back home.

Simple. In the case you cite, it is obvious that one side wishes the divorce, and that side has already shown that they have no wish to be a proper part of the marital/family/home relationship - so - throw the baggage out!

Anonymous2010-06-27T22:58:37Z

Now that is the kind of hostile environment that every kid should be raised in until they reach the age of majority. You sure are teaching them some great skills AND giving them some emotional/psychological issues to boot! Way to go. You get parent of the year!

Now, start putting the kids best interests ahead of your own interests or need to be punitive with your spouse!

EDIT: Are you freakin kidding me? The ONLY hostility is from the unfaithful spouse? Oh. I get it. So then it would only really matter if it was coming from the faithful one then. That is some real good logical thinking there I'd say. Get some counseling ok?! GEEZUS!

True Blue Brit2010-06-28T00:44:30Z

You can't hold a person a prisoner in a marriage. The unfaithful one simply has to move out.
I do believe that we don't consider the harm divorce does do to children sufficiently. And I do believe that a marriage is a legal contract which is broken when one commits infidelity. And that the adulterer gets away with the damage they cause without so much as a single criticism. They swan away off to a new life, leaving a lot of damage in their wake.
But that is life. You don't have to stay if you have found someone else. It's what many people do.

♪♫♪The♪♫♪ Duchess2010-06-28T06:55:16Z

Well, unless divorce law where you live is really different from Texas divorce law, if one party wants a divorce, the other party can't stop it. And rather than unreasonable, I'd say that she is trying to hang onto her lifestyle and keep the cheating SOB from dumping the total responsibility of the kids on her. She should just get a good lawyer and take him for everything she can.

Bree2010-06-27T22:10:04Z

I think it is not reasonable for any person to try and refuse the other spouse of a divorce. If they do not want to be with you, why try and force them by refusing? They are not going to start loving you again or stop cheating.

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