1) n. the termination of a marriage by legal action, requiring a petition or complaint
for divorce (or dissolution in some states, including California) by one party.
Some states still require at least a minimal showing of fault, but no-fault divorce
is now the rule in which "incompatibility" is sufficient to grant a divorce. The
substantive issues in divorces are division of property, child custody and support,
alimony (spousal support), child visitation and attorney's fees. Only state courts
have jurisdiction over divorces, so the petitioning or complaining party can only
file in the state in which he/she is and has been a resident for a period of time
(as little as six weeks in Nevada). In most states the period from original filing
for divorce, serving the petition on the other party and final judgment (or decree)
takes several months to allow for a chance to reconcile.
See also alimony child custody child support community property incompatibility
separate property spousal support
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