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Family law

No-fault divorce

Also called irretrievably broken or insupportability

A divorce granted without either spouse having to prove the other did something wrong. In Florida the ground is that the marriage is irretrievably broken.[1]

In more detail

In Texas a court can end a marriage without looking at fault when discord or clashing personalities have made it insupportable, with no reasonable hope of reconciling.[2] California's courts tell readers they can get divorced for any reason and don't need their spouse's agreement.[3]

Varies by state

Grounds for divorce, and whether fault still matters, differ by state. Find your state’s rules.

Related terms

  • Dissolution of marriageThe legal term in many states, including Florida and California, for divorce: a court judgment ending a marriage.
  • Uncontested divorceA divorce in which the spouses agree on all the issues, such as property, support and children, so a judge doesn't have to decide them.
  • Legal separationA court process that divides property and debts and sets support and parenting orders while the spouses stay legally married.
  • Waiting periodThe minimum time some states require between filing for divorce and the divorce becoming final.

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Sources

The official documents this definition is based on, with the date we last read each one. Definitions are in our own words.

  1. Fla. Stat. § 61.052 (Dissolution of marriage)leg.state.fl.uschecked ↩
  2. Tex. Fam. Code ch. 6 (Suit for dissolution of marriage)tcss.legis.texas.govchecked ↩
  3. Divorce in Californiaselfhelp.courts.ca.govchecked ↩

General information, not legal advice. MediationList is not a law firm. Spotted an error? Tell us.

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Page updated

MediationList. (2026, October 28). No-fault divorce: Definition. https://mediationlist.com/glossary/no-fault-divorce/

APA 7th ed. A retrieval date is included only for pages whose content changes, such as maps, data and tools.