The easiest way to divorce someone in Georgia is to simply claim that the marriage is “irretrievably broken.” Your spouse does not even need to agree that the marriage is not worth saving, and you can move forward with your divorce. That being said, Georgia still allows you to pursue a “fault-based” divorce if you prefer. There are many acceptable grounds for divorce – some of which are quite obvious. Examples include adultery, substance abuse, and physical abuse. But there are also a number of lesser-known grounds for divorce that may surprise you:
Impotence
One of the most interesting grounds for divorce in Mississippi is impotence. This means that either spouse is unable to provide the other with a child. This is a somewhat archaic law that goes back to earlier, simpler times when children were necessary for the success of a family. These children were expected to work on farms and support the family from a very young age. Being deprived of the ability to have children represented a genuine disadvantage for families in Georgia many years ago. Today, spouses still have the ability to walk away from their marriage if they wed someone who is impotent.
Wife Was Pregnant by Another Man at the Time of the Marriage
This is a situation that no one wants to find themselves in. Fortunately, the State of Georgia gives you a way out of your marriage if you wed a woman who is pregnant with someone else’s baby. That being said, you must have been unaware of this fact at the time of the wedding. If you knew that the child was not yours and went ahead with the marriage anyway, you cannot get a divorce on these grounds.
Crimes of Moral Turpitude
If your spouse has been convicted of a crime of “moral turpitude,” you may pursue a fault-based divorce. “Turpitude” is a somewhat outdated word that comes from the Latin “turpe,” which means filthy, foul, scandalous, or dishonorable. Examples include:
- Fraud
- Murder
- DUI
- Writing a bad check
Incurable Mental Illness
The last lesser-known grounds for divorce in Georgia is incurable mental illness. This might actually be more common than many people realize. Mental illness can change people to the point where they no longer have the same personality. A spouse may feel like the person they married just is not there anymore. These changes can be caused by serious head injuries or genetic disorders like schizophrenia.
Where Can I Find a Qualified, Experienced Divorce Lawyer in Georgia?
If you have been searching for a qualified, experienced divorce lawyer in Georgia, look no further than Lankford & Moore Law. While these lesser-known grounds for divorce provide spouses with the ability to end their marriages under rare circumstances, they might just apply to your situation. In some situations, it may be genuinely beneficial to pursue divorce under these grounds. The only way to move forward confidently is to book a consultation with us and discuss your unique needs. Reach out today to get started.
