Could Your Spouse Be Stepping Out?

Usually I meet clients when they have decided on divorce. Sometimes, though, I speak with spouses still fully engaged in their marriage who are concerned that a spouse could be cheating. How do you know?

Potential signs your spouse could be having an affair include:

• Previously shared passwords being changed
• Increased need for privacy during phone calls and unwillingness to expose phone numbers or texts
• A sudden uptick in late nights at the office or business travel
• A downturn in communication, intimacy, date nights and togetherness
• Increased instances where you simply do not know the whereabouts of your spouse
• Sudden interest in fitness, new clothes and a change of lifestyle
• Buying you gifts or showing sudden interest in you

You know your spouse best. Any of these signs alone could have an innocent explanation, but if you notice several sudden changes in behavior, you probably already suspect that your partner is unfaithful or at least interested elsewhere.

While marriages can sometimes rebound from an affair, most times they cannot. An affair is sometimes not as much an act to hurt the other spouse as it is an action to provide an exit strategy from a marriage.

If you are concerned that your spouse is cheating, consider your options. The trust is already gone. Evaluate your own feelings and fears. When the time is right, be open with your spouse and ask about what you have noticed. Respectful communication is the cornerstone to a healthy relationship and an effective tool if you are heading toward divorce. If you decide on divorce, seek experienced legal advice.