What are the Three Arguments for Divorce?

According to the Social Readjustment Rating Scale, divorce is the second-highest stress factor. While no one deserves to experience this stress, there are times when you may have to bear it. Whether you or a loved one is dealing with a divorce, it helps to know as much about this stressful event as possible.

This involves knowing about the most common reasons spouses divorce. So, what are the three arguments for divorce? Find the answer in this guide.

Most Common Arguments for Divorce

There are many reasons people come to the eventual conclusion of divorcing their partner. However, most of these reasons fall under three arguments or grounds. These grounds are as follows:

1. Adultery

When your partner enters into an intimate relationship with someone else, it can be considered adultery and grounds for a divorce. It is important to know that just meeting someone behind your back, without having an intimate relationship, cannot be considered adultery.

In such an instance, you can file for a divorce. If you forgive your partner, adultery cannot be used as an argument for divorce. It is also important to know that in such instances, a joint request for divorce is usually not entertained by the court.

2. Living Apart

When the spouses live apart for more than one year, they have ample grounds for getting a divorce. It implies that they also don't intend to live together in the future or be a part of each other’s lives. However, it is not essential that you live in different homes to qualify for a divorce petition.

You can file for divorce even when you live under the same roof. You will have to prove your intention that you no longer intend to continue living together. Some of the situations that can facilitate a divorce initiation are as follows:

• Both of you live in separate rooms
• You do not talk to each other or talk very little
• You do not have any intimate relationship with each other
• You do not eat together
• You purchase your groceries separately
• Your social lives do not converge

The judge will evaluate your situation and determine whether you have been living together or apart for more than a year.

3. Mental, Emotional, or Physical Cruelty

You have grounds for filing a divorce petition if your partner abuses you physically. Examples of such actions include hurting, beating, and sexual abuse.  On the other hand, emotional or mental cruelty can also be solid grounds for getting a divorce. Some of the common situations that can cause mental or emotional cruelty include:

• Insulting or harassment
• Threatening you or your family
• Bad treatment or humiliation

Even engaging in an affair without an attempt to hide it can cause emotional stress. It is considered an act of cruelty if your partner makes it intolerable to continue living with them. The following points are evaluated by the judge to determine if the cruelty is intolerable:

• Intentional actions
• Impact on you
• Each partner's characteristics such as personality, economic condition, and age
• The cruel partner’s actions
• Frequency of actions

There are many more reasons you may apply for divorce. Many of these reasons fall under one of the above-mentioned arguments. These include a lack of commitment, excessive conflict, financial disagreements, substance abuse, communication breakdown, strained family relationships, and a lack of intimacy. If you find yourself in one of these situations and want to part ways with your partner, it is recommended to work with an experienced divorce attorney. Specialized divorce lawyers have the experience and knowledge required to help achieve the best possible outcome in your favor.