Cathy R. Cook, Attorneys at Law

The $5,000 Watch Rule: How affairs impact your wallet. ⌚
When a spouse is unfaithful, it feels like there should be a financial penalty for breaking the marriage vows, right? Unfortunately, an affair does not give the faithful spouse a "bonus" in a divorce.

In Ohio, marriage is treated like a business partnership. Assets, and debts, are generally equally divided. Emotional misconduct, alone, does not affect that.

BUT - if they spent "our" money on "them," the rules change. This is called Economic Misconduct. Whether it's $5,000 on jewelry, gambling losses, or secret trips, that money can be credited back in the final tally.
If you suspect economic misconduct, investigate credit card charges, cash withdrawals, cash app payments, etc. Don't let emotional misconduct become a financial loss.

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