Irreconcilable differences

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The concept of irreconcilable differences provides possible grounds for divorce in United States of America and Australia, among other jurisdictions.

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Australia

Australian family law uses a no-fault divorce approach, and irreconcilable differences is the sole grounds for divorce, with adequate proof being that the estranged couple have been separated for more than 12 months. [1]

United States

In the United States, this is one of several possible grounds. Often, it is used as justification for a no-fault divorce. In many cases, irreconcilable differences were the original and only grounds for no-fault divorce, such as in California, which enacted America's first purely no-fault divorce law in 1969. [2] California now lists one other possible basis, "permanent legal incapacity to make decisions" (formerly "incurable insanity"), on its divorce petition form. [3]

Any sort of difference between the two parties that either cannot or will not be changed can be considered an irreconcilable difference. A difference could be that of a difference in character, personality, belief, or some other personality trait. Some states use the terms irremediable breakdown, irretrievable breakdown, or incompatibility. In some states where the official grounds is 'irreconcilable differences', the statutory definition of that term may include a waiting period or a mutual-consent requirement.[ citation needed ]

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Family Law Act 1975</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grounds for divorce (United States)</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scots family law</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Divorce law in Sweden</span>

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Grounds for divorce are regulations specifying the circumstances under which a person will be granted a divorce. Adultery is the most common grounds for divorce. However, there are countries that view male adultery differently than female adultery as grounds for divorce.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Divorce in England and Wales</span>

In England and Wales, divorce is allowed under the Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 on the ground that the marriage has irretrievably broken down without having to prove fault or separation.

Actions for divorce in Scotland may be brought in either the Sheriff Court or the Court of Session. In practice, it is only actions in which unusually large sums of money are in dispute, or with an international element, that are raised in the Court of Session. If, as is usual, there are no contentious issues, it is not necessary to employ a lawyer.

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References

  1. Dunlop, Ross. "The Divorce Process: 17 Things You Need to Know". DS Family Law. Retrieved 8 April 2024.
  2. Robbins, Norman N. (1973). "Have We Found Fault in No Fault Divorce?". The Family Coordinator. 23 (3): 361.
  3. "Form FL-100 [Petition for the Dissolution of Marriage or Domestic Partnership]" (PDF). 1 January 2020. Retrieved 12 April 2021.