What is a “fault” divorce?
A fault divorce may be granted when the required grounds are present and at least one spouse asks that the divorce be granted on the grounds of fault. Only some states allow fault divorces. The traditional fault grounds are: cruelty (inflicting unnecessary emotional or physical pain) — this is the most frequently used ground for divorce adultery desertion for a specified length of time confinement in prison for a set number of years, and physical inability to engage in sexual intercourse, if it was not disclosed before marriage. Why choose a fault divorce? Some people don’t want to wait out the period of separation required by their state’s law for a no fault divorce. And, in some states, a spouse who proves the other’s fault may receive a greater share of the marital property or more alimony. What if both spouses are at fault?
A fault divorce may be granted when the required grounds are present and at least one spouse asks that the divorce be granted on the grounds of fault. Only some states allow fault divorces. The traditional fault grounds are: • cruelty (inflicting unnecessary emotional or physical pain) — this is the most frequently used ground for divorce • adultery • desertion for a specified length of time • confinement in prison for a set number of years, and • physical inability to engage in sexual intercourse, if it was not disclosed before marriage. Why choose a fault divorce? Some people don’t want to wait out the period of separation required by their state’s law for a no fault divorce. And, in some states, a spouse who proves the other’s fault may receive a greater share of the marital property or more alimony. What if both spouses are at fault? When both parties have shown grounds for divorce, the court will grant a divorce to the spouse who is least at fault under a doctrine called “compara
