In California, it’s not always necessary to list a specific reason for your divorce, because California is a no-fault state, which means you can petition for a divorce based on the concept that you and your spouse simply can’t get along. However, it may help to know there are other common grounds for divorce that could apply to your case.
Irreconcilable Differences
This is the most commonly used reason when couples seek divorces, since it works best in a no-fault state. Simply stating that you and your spouse cannot resolve your conflicts is a simple way of defining why you need a divorce. This claim also makes it easy to come to an agreement on the important aspects of your divorce, since it generates the least animosity. Although you and your spouse may not be able to live together anymore, you can use the help of a mediator to find a resolution to the final decisions you need to make before your divorce is accepted by the court. All the financial, legal, and practical aspects of respectful divorce agreements can be managed by divorce mediators. San Diego couples can rely on Divorce Options San Diego’s specialized comprehensive process, which is so thorough they won’t need to hire attorneys.
Adultery
People tend to think couples choose to divorce because one partner was unfaithful. However, this grounds for divorce can be difficult to prove in a court of law, since it tends to be based on one spouse’s word against the other’s. For this reason, most courts no longer accept adultery as grounds for divorce, and they instead ask couples to claim irreconcilable differences as an umbrella term for issues that affect a marriage. If you or your spouse committed adultery, it doesn’t have to be made public. Instead, you can work out your differences in private with the help of a mediator.
Incurable Insanity or Mental Incapacitation
There are sometimes situations that lead to divorce that the courts need to know about. For instance, you may have a different type of case if your spouse is mentally incapacitated to the point where he or she cannot make decisions independently. This reason for a divorce is also hard to prove, and you may be required to submit documentation from a medical professional that the court can use to determine if your side of the story is true.
Substance Abuse
Addiction is another common reason for people to seek a divorce. While you can still choose to get your divorce in California without listing this reason, it may need to be noted if you have children who are affected by the other parent’s actions. For example, your child custody and visitation arrangements may need to have special stipulations in place to ensure everyone’s safety, such as having supervised visits for a specific time period.
Criminal Conviction
You may also need to seek a divorce if your spouse is convicted of a crime that involves a lengthy jail sentence. Like the other common grounds for divorce, this could impact how you handle things such as the division of property and child custody. Talk to your mediator about this special situation to find out how you can still work through the divorce process together while making accommodations for your special needs.
Couples who want to make the divorce process as smooth, respectful, and amicable as possible should consider divorce mediation. San Diego couples trust Divorce Options San Diego’s experienced divorce mediators to handle every aspect of their divorces, and our focus is on ensuring fairness and mutual satisfaction for both spouses. To learn more about how divorce mediation can be the best option for you, call the expert mediators at Divorce Options San Diego today at 858-281-2628.
