Grounds for Divorce
"Grounds" for divorce are no longer required as Indiana is a no-fault state. Though we may use the word "divorce," this is not the legal term for the process of ending a marriage.
The correct terminology is an "action for dissolution of marriage." The people whose marriage is being dissolve are called the "parties." You will be either the Petitioner (the one who files a petition seeking a divorce) or the Respondent (the one who answers or responds to the petition for divorce).
The Court must conclude that the marriage is "irretrievabley broken with no hope of reconciliation." Also, one of the parties must have resided in Indiana for at least six months and for three months in the county were the divorce is filed.
Lawyers are ethically required to help people reconcile if possible. However, you should be realistic. Is there a reasonable chance you and your spouse can or will reconcile? Your divorce lawyer really does care about that issue. The bottom line is this: the Court considers most misconduct and blame for the break-up of the marriage to be irrelevant.
If you are thinking about divorce, our attorneys can help you find the solutions. Contact the family law attorneys of Waters, Tyler, Scott, Hofmann & Doane -- (812) 949-1114. Weekend and evening appointments are available; major credit cards accepted.
