What are the Grounds for Divorce in California?

If you are thinking of filing for divorce in Riverside, San Bernardino, or anywhere in the Inland Empire, it is important to understand the divorce requirements in California.  

No Fault State

Unlike other states, California is a no fault state, which means that a couple wishing to file for divorce does not need to prove that one or both spouses was at fault for the dissolution of the marriage.  In California, a couple can file for divorce on grounds of “irreconcilable differences,” which essentially means the couple no longer gets along, and does not have any desire to try and change or fix the situation in order to save the marriage.  Irreconcilable differences accounts for the vast majority of the divorces in California.

A couple can also file for divorce on grounds of “incurable insanity,” however this type of divorce is rare.  A couple can only file for divorce on grounds of incurable insanity if the insane spouse was, based on testimony from a medical or psychiatric professional, insane at the time marriage petition was filed and has remained incurably insane throughout the marriage. 

Residency Requirements

A couple must also meet specific residency requirements before they can file for divorce. These requirements state that both people in the marriage must have been a California resident for at least 6 months, as well as have resided in the county they are filing for divorce in for no less than 3 months.

Experienced Divorce Lawyer Serving Riverside, San Bernardino & Inland Empire

If you have any questions regarding filing for divorce in California, please do not hesitate to contact my office.  As an experienced Riverside divorce attorney, I have represented thousands of clients throughout Riverside, San Bernardino, and the Inland Empire wishing to file for divorce, and can provide you with the experienced guidance, counsel, and representation you need to move forward in the divorce process.  Whether you are ready to file for divorce, or simply have a question about the divorce requirements in California, please do not hesitate to contact the Law Office of Michael R. Young today, or click here to fill out a free case evaluation form.  I look forward to speaking with you soon!