Simple English definitions for legal terms
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Term: Adultery
Definition: Adultery is when a married person has sex with someone who is not their spouse. It is usually not against the law, but it can be a reason for divorce. In the past, judges would use adultery as a reason to take away custody of children, but now they only consider how it affects the child. Adultery is also called avoutry or spouse-breach. It is different from fornication, which is when unmarried people have sex, and infidelity, which is when someone cheats on their partner.
Definition: Avoutry is another word for adultery, which is voluntary sexual intercourse between a married person and someone who is not their spouse. In some places, it is considered a crime, and it can be used as a reason for divorce or to reduce the property awarded to the offending spouse. In the past, it was also used as a reason to deny custody of a child, but now only the effect on the child is considered.
Examples: If a married man has sex with someone who is not his wife, that is considered avoutry or adultery. In some places, if a married woman has sex with someone who is not her husband, that is also considered adultery. If two married people have sex with each other, but they are not married to each other, that is called double adultery.
Explanation: These examples illustrate the definition of avoutry or adultery. It is when a married person has sex with someone who is not their spouse, or when two married people have sex with each other but are not married to each other. In some places, this is considered a crime or can be used as a reason for divorce or to reduce property awarded to the offending spouse. In the past, it was also used as a reason to deny custody of a child, but now only the effect on the child is considered.