Does Polyamory Lead To Divorce in Chicago, IL?
Most marriages in the United States involve only two people, but a growing number of people are expanding the idea of marriage to include more than two spouses. Polyamory is sometimes called “consensual nonmonogamy” and involves the practice of having more than one intimate relationship at a time. It’s estimated that one in five Americans engage in a polyamorous relationship at some point in their lives.
All healthy relationships require trust, openness, and good communication. People involved in polyamory must work even harder to build and respect personal boundaries and handle feelings of jealousy to reduce the chances of divorce.
What Is Polyamory?
The CDC reports that the U.S. divorce rate has declined over the last couple of decades, but the marriage rate has also declined. One reason may be the global redefining of what a happy marriage looks like and an increasing openness to considering non-traditional relationships.
Polyamory is the practice of having sexually and emotionally intimate relationships with other people while remaining married. Both spouses might be involved in a relationship with the same person or might have secondary relationships on their own. In some cases, couples may engage with other couples.
Participating in polyamory isn’t considered cheating by the people who have agreed to pursue the lifestyle. A couple might decide to try polyamory in an attempt to save a marriage where extramarital sexuality is an ongoing issue. Bringing the behavior out into the open and establishing boundaries around secondary relationships is one way to cope when two people want to remain married but are not built for monogamy.
Polyamory may have some positive attributes, but that doesn’t negate its difficulties. Like monogamous relationships, polyamorous relationships don’t always work out the way couples hope. The practice can lead to anger and hurt feelings. Some couples can’t move past the pain they’ve inflicted on each other and themselves. When that happens, a divorce settlement may be in the future.
Is Polyamory Grounds For Divorce In Illinois?
Polyamory is not bigamy and does not involve any legal contract except that between two legally wed spouses. However, adultery is technically illegal in Illinois. Fortunately, Illinois is a no-fault divorce state, which means that one spouse is not required to prove marital misconduct to file for a divorce.
This means that adultery or other misconduct can’t be used against a spouse when deciding issues such as alimony, child custody, child support, or property division. However, if you can prove the practice of polyamory had a negative effect on the well-being of your children or the financial health of your marriage, it may be taken into consideration.
Since polyamory, by definition, requires mutual consent, it could be difficult to prove its negative impact without each party being held mutually responsible for any negative effects.
How Does Polyamory Impact a Marriage?
Infidelity is one of the top 12 causes of divorce, according to a national survey. Some would argue that polyamory is not the same as infidelity, but the jealousy, anger, and hurt feelings that can arise from polyamory can be just as intense, whether a spouse agrees to an open marriage or not.
While some marriages thrive with consensual nonmonogamy, others do not. A lack of commitment, marrying too young, and unrealistic marriage expectations are also some of the top causes of divorce. Polyamory may lead to divorce for some couples, but there’s also the chance that other preexisting issues in those relationships would have caused a divorce anyway, even if the couple had not explored polyamory.
When Do You Need a Divorce Lawyer?
It’s wise to consult with a divorce lawyer early in the process. An attorney can help you avoid mistakes that could affect issues like child custody or asset division. If you wish to keep your consensual non-monogamy practices private, you can do so with Illinois’s no-fault divorce option.
Contact the Chicago Family Lawyers at KHK Family Law & Divorce Attorneys To Get Legal Assistance Today
To learn more and get the help you deserve, call our divorce lawyers or reach out to KHK Family Law & Divorce Attorneys online by visiting our contact us page.
We serve Cook County and surrounding areas in Illinois. You can also visit our offices in Chicago. We are conveniently located in:
KHK Family Law & Divorce Attorneys Chicago Office
166 W Washington St suite 400, Chicago, IL 60602, United States
(312) 702-0068