what is a no fault divorce

A no-fault divorce is a type of divorce that allows a couple to divorce without blame or fault. It is the dissolution of a marriage that does not require a showing of wrongdoing by either party. In a no-fault divorce, one spouse can file for divorce without blaming the other or indicating that it was either spouse’s fault. The terminology differs with each state’s no-fault divorce laws, but to obtain a no-fault divorce, the spouse who files simply needs to state that there has been an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, irreconcilable differences, or incompatibility. When filing for a no-fault divorce, the spouse who files simply selects the no-fault option as the reason for the marriage. No-fault grounds cannot be contested by the other spouse, and the simple fact of disagreeing with the spouse who files about wanting a divorce just shows the marriage is broken. Before no-fault divorce was available, spouses seeking divorce would often allege false grounds for divorce, and removing the incentive to perjure was one motivation for the no-fault movement.