Its not enough to establish that a party to a marriage has committed adultery ( and contrary to what I have read elsewhere recently it DOES NOT only apply to the wife or female party). Remember evidence of adultery can be circumstantial, the court will consider preponderance of evidence and not proof beyond reasonable doubt.  The court will look for opportunity and familiarity.

There are a number of circumstances were adultery is generally presumed

1. where the parties are living together

2. Bigamy is proof of adultery

3. Confessions of adultery are also proof

4. The  fathers name registered on a child’s birth certificate

5. Frequent visits to brothels

6. Sexually transmitted diseases that the other spouse does not also have

The petitioner in a divorce case also needs to prove that he or she now finds it intolerable to live with the respondent. This intolerability need not arise as a result of the adultery but there must be evidence of intolerability. If for instance a wife no longer desires to have sex with her husband and her husband resorts to raping her that could be evidence of intolerability.  On the other hand if a wife does have sex with her husband after he commits adultery does not condone him.

Evidence of intolerability is completely subjective, its all about what the petitioner feels and not what a reasonable man or woman may feel.

Its not enough to prove adultery, to sustain this ground for a divorce there must be both and there must be evidence of both. You can read more about adultery as grounds for divorce here.

If you have questions you can book a consultation with me here.

cheers

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62 responses to “Proving Adultery & Intolerability”

  1. adedun Avatar
    adedun

    thanks, sorry how do u mean ”no contest divorce” and do i necessarilly have 2 go to the state where we had d marriage b4 i cn file divorce? Cnt wait till september too long to allow her do more damage. Pls advice further.

    1. mz_agams Avatar

      If you have lived apart for 3 years you can ask for a no contest divorce. You do not need to prove anything else again

    2. adedun Avatar
      adedun

      hw long is the process likely 2 take ma. Appreciate we have u, dat we dnt av 2 die in silence.

    3. mz_agams Avatar

      Good bless…..it can take 6 months or 2 years depends on the lawyer , the court and your spouse really. I have also known cases take 10 – 15 years but those are the ones that went all the way to Supreme Court and very few. You can always appeal a lower court judgement even in divorce cases. Good luck

    4. john Avatar
      john

      a real big thanks to you, what is likely d spouse contributing factor 2 d delay of the process, since its no ‘contest’ divorce. Since we dnt av 2 prove anytin. Sorry pls

    5. mz_agams Avatar

      After 3 years of loving apart your spouse cannot delay the proceedings again. It is ab initio proof the marriage is broken down irretrievably and the court must grant a divorce

    6. john Avatar
      john

      hello ma, she is aware am in a relationship after the separation. can this complicate things for me in the court? shes still bent on having me back to her. tnks

    7. mz_agams Avatar

      i cant say, the court will decide