The Impact of Adultery and illicit relationship on the Financial Rights of the Wife in Iran and England

Abstract

From a public perspective, breaching marital fidelity through adultery is often seen as grounds for revoking the financial rights derived from marriage. However, this view does not align with the realities of the legal systems governing such matters. In Iran, the financial rights of the wife include dower (mahr), alimony, compensation for household services (ojrat-al-mesle), and, in some cases, asset division. In contrast, in England, dower is not customary, and financial entitlements are determined based on prenuptial agreements, financial needs, the standard of living during marriage, and the parties' contributions to income and childcare. This article examines the legal principles and judicial precedents in Iran and England to analyze the impact of illicit relationship on the financial rights of the wife. The findings indicate that in both jurisdictions, this act alone does not affect the wife’s financial rights unless specific conditions or agreements dictate otherwise.

Keywords: Adultery, Financial Rights, Divorce, Alimony, Dower, Iranian Law, English Law