Raleigh, NC - Emotional cheating is often the first sign of an unfaithful spouse. Cheating or infidelity in marriage is a hot button topic in the news media today in social, political and celebrity circles. While American culture places a high value on a solid, monogamous relationship between a husband and wife, sociological data shows that both men and women cheat on their spouses in increasingly high numbers. But what is the starting place of infidelity?

The National Healthy Marriage Resource Center reports, "Emotional cheating is characterized by an intimacy between two people who are in committed relationships to other persons and does not involve a physical relationship." This does not mean that platonic male and female friendships are bound to become romantic. It simply means that some innocent friendships may evolve into inappropriate emotional or sexual relationships because of commonalities shared by the friends such as similar likes and dislikes, closeness in communication, and confiding in the friend instead of speaking to the spouse or partner. Intimate communications and sharing of confidences by spouses with friends of the opposite sex can impede the maintenance of emotional connections between the married friend and his or her spouse. The threat to the life of a married couple's relationship occurs when one spouse receives what he or she needs emotionally from someone of the opposite sex outside of the marriage. All human beings need emotional intimacy in a committed relationship to increases longevity and satisfaction to both partners. If one partner gets the emotional intimacy elsewhere, he or she is more apt to neglect his or her spouse. If this occurs, it is important for errant spouse to recognize the impact on the marriage of the emotional attachment with a third party and make the effort to reengage the emotional connection between his or her spouse within the marriage.

There are several ways to avoid emotional cheating according to the National Healthy Marriage Resource Center.

1. Keep emotionally intimate conversations for your partner. Turn to your significant other for support. A sign you are going down the wrong path would be having another person who you talk to for difficult issues pertaining to your life and job.
2. Set up boundaries for your platonic relationships. Friendships should be enjoyed with the opposite sex in a way your spouse does not feel uncomfortable.
3. Beware of online and work relationships. Avoid intimate conversations in the office and on the Internet.
4. Save the intimate moments of a relationship for your spouse and not a friend. This will further your romantic relationship with your spouse and maintain healthy friendships.

Emotional cheating can be devastating for the other spouse and if the marriage is to survive trust will need to be regained. Counseling may be the first option to try to reconnect. However, if emotional cheating persists and develops into a romantic or sexual relationship, regardless of efforts to nurture the marriage bond , there are steps to take in order to sever ties and move on. A spouse who suspects his or her spouse of emotional cheating should consult a competent family law attorney for advice on financial and other issues which may arise should the marriage dissolve.

The family lawyers of Gailor, Wallis and Hunt help people work through the emotional and financial entanglements that occur when a marriage or committed relationship does not work out. With more than 80 years of combined experience, they offer highly competent and dedicated representation in the following matters; mediation, arbitration, separation and property settlement agreements, divorce, alimony and child support and equitable distribution of property. For a confidential and personal review of your case, contact Gailor, Wallis & Hunt at 1-866-362-7586 or visit them online at http://www.gailorwallis.com

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Raleigh, NC 27604-1455
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