10/6/20091HistoryMany American states enacted divorce legislation in the 1700’s-each state was different-however most were during the 1780’s and 1790’s…after we gained our Independence HistoryMany American states enacted divorce legislation in the 1700’s-each state was different-however most were during the 1780’s and 1790’s…after we gained our Independence  Connecticut-grounds for divorce California-grounds for divorce Connecticut-grounds for divorce California-grounds for divorceConnecticut Divorce Rules and Regulations:Connecticut Divorce Rules and Regulations:Most liberal state at the timeMost liberal state at the timeMost liberal state at the timeMost liberal state at the timeCould only get divorce on grounds of:Could only get divorce on grounds of:Could only get divorce on grounds of:Could only get divorce on grounds of:AdulteryAdulteryAdulteryAdulteryDesertion for 3 yearsDesertion for 3 yearsDesertion for 3 yearsDesertion for 3 yearsProlonged absence with presumption of Prolonged absence with presumption of Prolonged absence with presumption of Prolonged absence with presumption of deathdeathdeathdeath1843: Habitual drunkenness and intolerable 1843: Habitual drunkenness and intolerable 1843: Habitual drunkenness and intolerable 1843: Habitual drunkenness and intolerable cruelty were added to legislationcruelty were added to legislationcruelty were added to legislationcruelty were added to legislation1849: Divorce granted on account of:1849: Divorce granted on account of:1849: Divorce granted on account of:1849: Divorce granted on account of:Life ImprisonmentLife ImprisonmentLife ImprisonmentLife ImprisonmentInfamous CrimeInfamous CrimeInfamous CrimeInfamous CrimeMisconduct Misconduct Misconduct Misconduct California had highest divorce rate in the world during the Gold RushCalifornia had highest divorce rate in the world during the Gold Rush “Naturally looked upon with favor and granted” 1851grounds for divorce  “Naturally looked upon with favor and granted” 1851grounds for divorce Fault/No FaultFault/No Fault“Marriage can end whether divorce is possible or not - but divorce makes it possible to remarry”Fault based divorceeFault based divorcee Grounds were adultery, extreme cruelty, willful desertion, willful neglect, habitual intemperance, conviction of a felony and incurable insanity Grounds were adultery, extreme cruelty, willful desertion, willful neglect, habitual intemperance, conviction of a felony and incurable insanity10/6/20092No-Fault DivorceNo-Fault Divorce California 1969 Gov. Ronald Reagan signed the Family Gov. Ronald Reagan signed the Family Gov. Ronald Reagan signed the Family Gov. Ronald Reagan signed the Family Law Act which was the first noLaw Act which was the first noLaw Act which was the first noLaw Act which was the first no----fault fault fault fault divorce law. This started the “divorce divorce law. This started the “divorce divorce law. This started the “divorce divorce law. This started the “divorce law revolution”law revolution”law revolution”law revolution” California 1969 Gov. Ronald Reagan signed the Family Gov. Ronald Reagan signed the Family Gov. Ronald Reagan signed the Family Gov. Ronald Reagan signed the Family Law Act which was the first noLaw Act which was the first noLaw Act which was the first noLaw Act which was the first no----fault fault fault fault divorce law. This started the “divorce divorce law. This started the “divorce divorce law. This started the “divorce divorce law. This started the “divorce law revolution”law revolution”law revolution”law revolution”–1985: 18 states enacted no1985: 18 states enacted no1985: 18 states enacted no1985: 18 states enacted no----fault fault fault fault divorce laws. Of those:divorce laws. Of those:divorce laws. Of those:divorce laws. Of those:•14 states made marital breakdown a 14 states made marital breakdown a 14 states made marital breakdown a 14 states made marital breakdown a reason for divorcereason for divorcereason for divorcereason for divorce•3 made “incompatibility” a reason for 3 made “incompatibility” a reason for 3 made “incompatibility” a reason for 3 made “incompatibility” a reason for divorcedivorcedivorcedivorce–22 added the no22 added the no22 added the no22 added the no----fault standard of fault standard of fault standard of fault standard of “marital breakdown” to already “marital breakdown” to already “marital breakdown” to already “marital breakdown” to already existing faultexisting faultexisting faultexisting fault----based lawsbased lawsbased lawsbased laws•NoNoNoNo----Fault divorce was conceived as a way to make Fault divorce was conceived as a way to make Fault divorce was conceived as a way to make Fault divorce was conceived as a way to make divorce less hostile and restrictivedivorce less hostile and restrictivedivorce less hostile and restrictivedivorce less hostile and restrictiveContested/UncontestedContested/Uncontested An uncontested divorce is when both parties in an ending relationship reach a mutual accord about the disposition of property, finances, children, and other often contentious issues. Contested divorce is a situation in which an agreement can not be reached on every issue and the couples have to take the issue to the judge. An uncontested divorce is when both parties in an ending relationship reach a mutual accord about the disposition of property, finances, children, and other often contentious issues. Contested divorce is a situation in which an agreement can not be reached on every issue and the couples have to take the issue to the judge.Simplified DivorceSimplified Divorce This kind of divorce is also known as summary divorce.  Simplified divorces are uncontested, no - fault divorces where there is no conflict between the spouses.  Usually these kinds of divorces are taken when the marriage is short and when there are no children.  This type of divorce is less expensive and less stressful. This kind of divorce is also known as summary divorce.  Simplified divorces are uncontested, no - fault divorces where there is no conflict between the spouses.  Usually these kinds of divorces are taken when the marriage is short and when there are no children.  This type of divorce is less expensive and less stressful.Default