An extramarital affair in a Tennessee divorce usually doesn’t come with a fixed “price tag”—but it can cost you financially in several indirect (and sometimes very real) ways, depending on how it affects alimony, spending, and litigation.
Here’s a clear breakdown of where the money impact comes from:
Alimony (Spousal Support) — Biggest Potential Cost
In Tennessee, adultery is a legal ground for divorce and a factor courts can consider when awarding alimony.
- A cheating spouse may:
- Receive reduced alimony
- Or lose alimony entirely in some cases
- Courts cannot punish someone just for cheating—but they can weigh fault when deciding support.
Real-world impact:
- This could mean tens of thousands (or more) over time if long-term alimony is denied or reduced.
“Dissipation” of Marital Assets — Direct Financial Hit
This is where affairs can get very expensive.
If you spent marital money on the affair (hotel rooms, trips, gifts, rent, etc.), the court can:
- Reimburse your spouse
- Award them a larger share of marital assets
Property Division — Usually NOT Affected (Unless Money Was Spent)
Tennessee uses equitable distribution, meaning “fair” division—not necessarily equal.
- Adultery by itself does NOT change property division
- It only matters if:
- You spent marital money on the affair
Child Custody — Rarely Financial, But Can Indirectly Cost You
Adultery only affects custody if it impacts the children (e.g., neglect, unsafe situations).
If it does:
- You could lose parenting time
- Which can influence child support obligations
Legal Fees — Affairs Often Make Divorce More Expensive
Affairs tend to:
- Increase conflict
- Require more evidence (texts, financial records, investigators)
That leads to:
- Higher attorney fees
- Possible expert costs (financial tracing, etc.)
- Divorce costs can rise quickly depending on complexity and disputes
No Lawsuits Against the Affair Partner
Tennessee does NOT allow “homewrecker” lawsuits (alienation of affection is abolished).
- You won’t owe damages to a third party
- But you also can’t recover money from them
Bottom Line: What Can an Affair Cost?
Best-case scenario (no financial misconduct):
- Little to no financial impact beyond normal divorce costs
Moderate impact:
- Reduced or denied alimony
- Higher legal fees
Worst-case scenario:
- Repayment of affair spending
- Unequal property division
- Loss of alimony
In Tennessee, the affair itself isn’t what costs you money—it’s what you did because of the affair:
- Spending marital funds → 💸 expensive
- Affecting financial support → 💸 long-term cost
- Escalating conflict → 💸 legal fees
Our Tennessee divorce attorneys at the The Barnett Firm can help you understand your emotional and financial considerations and how to best proceed.