So you’ve found yourself in a tricky situation–you’re involved with a married man, and you’re starting to wonder if he might actually leave his wife for you.
Maybe he’s constantly talking about eloping with you or has given you a promise ring but you keep getting mixed signals from him.
While there’s no surefire way to read his mind, you might see a few clues that indicate he’s seriously considering making the leap.
Before you get your hopes up (or freak out), let’s look at some telltale signs a married man will leave his wife for you.
8 SIGNS A MARRIED MAN WILL LEAVE HIS WIFE FOR YOU
Many married men who date other women don’t plan to leave their wives.
They may complain about her and make lots of promises but actually never take any action.
But there are a handful of men who are truly unhappy in their marriage and have realized that there’s no need to stay with their wives so they find someone else to start over with.
Now, being able to differentiate between these groups of men can be tricky but you’ll often see some clues.
Here’s how to tell if a married man wants to leave his wife for you:
1. He constantly complains about his wife to you
When a married man is planning to end his marriage, he might turn to you for support and advice.
You’ll notice he’s always whining about his wife – from her habits to her personality. It’s like he’s building a case against her, and you’re the jury.
But here’s the kicker: he’s not just venting. He’s subtly painting a picture of an unhappy marriage, positioning you as the understanding listener.
This isn’t just harmless chatter; it’s a calculated move to create emotional intimacy with you.
Watch out for phrases like “You’re so easy to talk to” or “I wish my wife understood me like you do.”
These are signs he’s comparing you favorably to his spouse and might be planning to leave her for you.
A happy husband doesn’t constantly badmouth his wife to another woman. If he’s doing this, he’s clearly losing interest in the marriage.
2. He reluctantly goes home each time you meet
A telltale sign a married man has fallen for you and wants to marry you is that he’s reluctant to leave your company.
You’ll notice him dragging his feet, making excuses to stay longer, or even suggesting “just one more drink” before he has to go.
His body language will also let you know that he loves spending time with you – he might linger by the door, steal glances at you, or sigh heavily as he prepares to leave.
This hesitation isn’t just about enjoying your company; it’s a clear sign that he’s comparing his time with you to his life at home.
He might start complaining about having to return to “real life” or mentioning how he wishes he could stay.
These moments reveal his growing emotional attachment to you and his diminishing connection to his home life.
If the married man you’re dating struggles to leave your side, it’s a telltale sign of his deepening feelings and potential desire for a future with you.
3. He keeps talking about marrying you
When a married man can’t stop chatting about tying the knot with you, it’s a major sign he’s planning to leave his wife.
He might casually slip it into conversation, saying things like “If we were married…” or “When we get married someday…”
This shows marriage is on his mind and he’s seriously considering a future without his current wife.
Watch out for him asking about your ideal wedding or hinting at ring styles you like.
He may even start discussing practical matters like combining finances or where you’d live together.
While it might seem romantic, remember that he’s still legally bound to someone else.
Don’t be fooled by empty promises. Unless he’s taking concrete steps to end his marriage, his talk of wedding bells is just idle chatter.
Stay grounded and protect your heart until his actions match his words.
4. He has started seeking legal advice
When a married man is serious about leaving his wife for you, he might start exploring his legal options.
You’ll hear him talking about consultations with divorce attorneys or asking about the divorce process.
He might casually bring up topics like asset division or child custody arrangements in conversation.
Pay attention if he’s suddenly very interested in understanding his financial situation or gathering important documents.
This could indicate he’s preparing for a potential split. He might also start discussing long-term plans that don’t include his wife but do include you.
Remember, seeking legal advice doesn’t mean he’ll follow through with divorce. It’s a significant step, but many factors can influence his final decision.
Stay cautious and protect your emotional well-being as you navigate this situation.
5. He says he wants to meet your family
A big sign a married man is considering a future with you is that he expresses a desire to meet your family. This shows he’s envisioning you as a permanent part of his life.
Meeting your family implies a level of commitment and seriousness that most married men wouldn’t pursue unless they were contemplating leaving their current relationship.
It’s a way of integrating you into his world and exploring how you might fit into his broader life context.
However, proceed with caution. While this gesture might seem romantic, it’s crucial to consider the ethical implications and potential consequences for all parties involved.
Ultimately, if he’s willing to take concrete steps towards separation and divorce, it means he’s serious about being with you.
6. He no longer gives his wife much attention
When a married man is considering leaving his wife for you, his behavior towards her often changes dramatically.
You might notice he only talks to her about practical matters like the kids or bills, avoiding deeper conversations. Intimacy may disappear as he stops sleeping with her altogether.
His responsiveness to her decreases too – he might ignore her calls and messages, leaving her feeling neglected.
The thoughtful gestures that once defined their relationship, like buying surprise gifts or going on romantic vacations, become a thing of the past.
Perhaps the most obvious sign you’ll notice is that he spends less and less time with her. Date nights vanish, and he finds excuses to be away from home.
While these signs don’t guarantee he’ll leave her, they suggest his emotional investment in the marriage is diminishing as his feelings for you grow stronger.

7. He spends major holidays with you
A crystal clear sign a married man is serious about you is that he chooses to spend significant holidays with you instead of his wife.
Traditionally, holidays like Christmas, Thanksgiving, or New Year’s Eve are reserved for family time.
If he’s consistently making excuses to be with you during these special occasions, it’s a clear sign he’s prioritizing your relationship over his marriage.
Pay attention to how he handles birthdays, anniversaries, and other meaningful dates.
Does he go out of his way to celebrate with you, even if it means lying to his wife?
This behavior indicates he’s emotionally invested in you and may be considering leaving his marriage.
Many married men who claim to be unhappy at home still spend major holidays with their wives and kids.
If he’s willing to sacrifice family time for you, it’s a sure sign he loves you and wants to marry you.
8. He has proposed or given you a promise ring
When a married man proposes or gives you a promise ring, it’s a glaring sign he’s serious about leaving his wife for you.
This bold move shows he’s willing to make a tangible commitment, despite still being legally married.
A proposal or promise ring isn’t just empty words–it’s a physical symbol of his intentions.
He’s essentially telling you, “I’m ready to end my marriage and start a new life with you.”
This gesture demonstrates he’s thinking long-term and sees a future where you’re his primary partner.
However, proceed with caution. Until he’s actually divorced, his promises don’t mean much.
In the meantime, consider whether you’re comfortable being in this position and if you truly trust his intentions.
Conclusion
We’ve covered a lot of ground in this article. But at the end of the day, you need to trust your gut and do your own homework.
If a married man is giving you these signals, he’s probably thinking about leaving his wife soon.
Whatever you decide to do with this information is up to you. Be honest with yourself about what you really want.
And don’t be afraid to have those tough conversations with him. Your happiness matters too.
If you choose to break up with him or marry him, make sure it’s the right thing for you.
Recommended reading:
10 Harsh Facts About Dating A Married Man