I just found out that my husband abused our 18 year-old daughter when she was a child. She does not want to press charges and have to relive it. If he is not tried and found legally guilty, does this figure in to a divorce settlement? He is dependent and was a stay-at-home dad.
This likely won’t be relevant to the issue of marital misconduct and alimony, but it would depend on when you found this information out, how long you’ve known, what if anything he did to you or how he treated or mistreated you, etc.
For a detailed explanation on the marital misconduct grounds that are relevant to the issue of alimony, check out our article Will You Owe Your Spouse Alimony After a Divorce? and scroll about halfway down to the subheading “Marital Fault is No Longer Required, But Does it Still Play a Roll?”
This will not be a factor in equitable distribution (property distribution) as any marital misconduct is not relevant to property issues.
Anna Ayscue
Attorney with Rosen Law Firm Cary • Chapel Hill • Durham • Raleigh • Wake Forest
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