April 12, 2021
When problems arise in a marriage it can lead to separation or divorce if the couple isn’t able to work through it. But for some, separation and divorce may come out of the blue, or at least it may feel like it.
When a marriage ends, does the reason matter? Is it enough to tell the court that it wasn’t working anymore? In some instances, the reasons behind the breakup may impact how the proceedings go. Find out more about when the why behind a failed marriage may make a difference in a divorce.
What Is a No-Fault Divorce State?
Some state laws are written so that the reason for a breakup is not required. This is considered a no-fault law because the court does not care who caused what. Most states fall into this category. It means when a person files a divorce petition, the reason for the action may be vague, such as that the union is irretrievably broken. This tells the court that the two parties share in the demise and end of the relationship.
What Are Grounds for Divorce?
There is an alternative route to divorce in some no-fault divorce states that includes citing the reasons behind the breakup. This allows a spouse filing for divorce to either say the marriage is broken or give another ground for the divorce. Some of the most common grounds for divorce include:
- Adultery
- Psychiatric instability
- Verifiable domestic abuse
- Absence or abandonment
- Incarceration
Is It Beneficial to Give a Reason for the Divorce?
Is there a reason to give the grounds for divorce? In most cases, doing this provides no benefit except dragging the process on. However, there are some situations when a spouse may want to use a reason to gain the upper hand. Adultery is one of the most common reasons why marriages end. If a spouse alleges the other cheated, they need to have verifiable and irrefutable proof of the affair for the court to consider it. If they do, some courts will look at this and decide to award higher spousal support or property.
The divorce process may prove tricky to get through unless one is familiar with how the legal system in the state works. For this reason, a divorce lawyer is a valuable asset when it comes to the divorce process. This legal practitioner can move throughout family court with relative ease and give people a fair shot at coming out of a breakup on steady ground. Call a local divorce lawyer today for more help.