No-fault divorce hasn’t always been possible in the United States. It started back in 1969 in California, and it has now spread across the country. There are still states where you can declare fault if you want to, but you typically don’t need to have a reason to get divorced.
Florida, for example, does use no-fault divorce laws. This can provide many benefits that it is worth considering if you’re thinking about a divorce. Let’s break down a few of them below.
You don’t have to wait for anything specific to happen
People used to use things like abuse or neglect as a reason for divorce. But no-fault divorce means that you don’t have to stay in an unhappy marriage, waiting for something serious to occur before you can leave.
People don’t feel trapped
Similarly, a no-fault divorce means that people don’t feel trapped in a marriage that they want to leave. In the past, it was theoretically possible that someone could have been very unhappy and yet their spouse had never done anything that the court would accept as a reason for divorce. Now that you no longer have to have that specific reason, you get to focus on your own personal happiness and what you want for your life.
It avoids the blame game
A no-fault divorce can also just make the process go smoothly. You don’t have to blame your spouse and they don’t have to blame you. No one has to prove that the other person did something wrong. This can lead to a much more amicable divorce where the two of you are willing to cooperate and focus on your futures.
If you are thinking about getting a divorce this year, be sure you understand the legal steps you’ll need to take.
