Grounds for Divorce

You or your spouse may want a divorce, but that does not mean you can automatically obtain a divorce. You must satisfy the legal requirements of your state, as each state has "legal grounds" that it considers justification for the dissolution of a marriage.

In the past, these laws were more strict, and it was much more difficult to obtain a divorce. Attitudes about divorce have changed, and, with them, most states have liberalized their laws. Most states today recognize "no-fault" divorces, which means neither party necessarily did anything wrong but that the couple simply has irreconcilable differences and no longer wishes to remain married.

Check the grounds for divorce in your state by looking at the state page on this web site.

Residency Requirements

To obtain a divorce in any state you must satisfy the residency requirements. That means you must have had your residence there with the intent to live there permanently for a minimum period of time. Some states, such as Nevada, have exceptionally short residency requirements. Others may require residency for a year or more before you are eligible for divorce.