Grounds for Divorce: Rhode Island
Each state has unique grounds in which a divorce may be granted by the court. When choosing the grounds for your divorce, you should always remember that you must have sufficient proof to the court that your marital situation warrants a divorce by the grounds you are requesting the divorce to be granted.
Grounds for Filing: The Complaint for Divorce must declare the appropriate Rhode Island grounds upon which the divorce is being sought. The appropriate lawful ground will be that which the parties agree upon and can substantiate, or that which the filing spouse desires to prove to the court. The divorce grounds are as follows:
No-Fault:
(1) Irreconcilable differences which have caused the breakdown of the marriage.
(2) Living separate and apart without cohabitation for 3 years.
Fault:
(1) Impotency;
(2) Adultery;
(3) Extreme cruelty;
(4) Willful desertion for five years;
(5) Continued drunkenness;
(6) The habitual, excessive, and intemperate use of opium, morphine, or chloral;
(7) Neglect and refusal; and
(8) Any other gross misbehavior and wickedness.
(General Laws of Rhode Island - Title 15 , Chapters 15-5-2 15-5-3, 15-5-3.1 1505-5)
If you do not fall under any of the above mentioned grounds for divorce/dissolution, you most likely should consider trying to save your marriage. Many spouses find that they do not meet the requirements of a waiting period, which can be very frustrating, but it is these waiting periods that are in effect in order to help prevent rash decisions to terminate a marriage.
Related Divorce Resources:
- Start Your Rhode Island Divorce Today (5 Great Options!)
- Locate a Rhode Island Divorce Professional Near You
- Read More About Rhode Island Divorce Laws
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