A divorce is the legal termination of a marriage by a court in a legal proceeding, requiring a petition or complaint for divorce (or dissolution in some states) by one party. There are two types of divorce– fault and no-fault. A fault divorce is a judicial termination of a marriage based on marital misconduct or other statutory cause, requiring proof in a court of law by the divorcing party that the divorcee had done one of several enumerated things as sufficient grounds for the divorce. All states now have adopted some form of no-fault divorce; although some, such as New York, restrict the availability of no-fault divorce and retain fault divorce generally. A no-fault divorce is one in which neither party is required to prove fault, and one party must allege and testify only that either irretrievable breakdown of the marriage or irreconcilable differences between the parties makes termination of the marriage appropriate. Many states continue to offer a separation agreement or decree, under which the right to cohabitation is terminated, but the marriage is not dissolved and the marital status of the parties is unaltered.
State law governs 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 certain period of time, which varies by state. The most common 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. In most states, the legal process of the divorce procedures take some time, to allow for a chance of reconciliation. The divorce decree is a court order that states the rights and responsibilities of the divorced parties, including the basic information regarding the divorce, case number, parties, date of divorce, and terms the parties have agreed upon.
Sexual relations with anyone other than your spouse is still a crime in many states, even if the married couple is seeking a divorce. The judge has a great deal of discretion in custody cases and in awarding or restricting visitation rights. Extramarital sexual relations before divorce may be used as evidence of marital misconduct during the marriage. Also, cohabitation with another person may be a factor in reducing support payments received.
A domestic partnership is a relationship, usually between couples, who live together and share a common domestic life, but are not married. People in domestic partnerships receive legal benefits that guarantee right of survivorship, hospital visitation, and other rights.
Domestic partners are unmarried couples, including homosexuals, living together in long-term relationships, who may be entitled to some of the same benefits as married people, such as employer-provided health coverage. Although not required for married employees, many employers that provide domestic partner benefits require the employee and his or her domestic partner to sign an “affidavit of domestic partnership” to obtain coverage. Companies have discretion to word the affidavit as they choose, but many require that domestic partners must be able to demonstrate they:
- Have lived together for a specified period (generally, at least six months)
- Are responsible for each other’s financial welfare
- Are not blood relatives
- Are at least 18 years of age
- Are mentally competent
- Are life partners and would get legally married should the option become available
- Are registered as domestic partners if there is a local domestic partner registry
- Are not legally married to anyone
- Agree to inform the company in the event that the domestic partnership terminates
In addition to the affidavit, a company may require proof of financial interdependence or common residence.