Grounds for Divorce

In Rhode Island, like in all other states, the plaintiff is required to point out grounds for the divorce as established by state Family Law. Both fault and no-fault grounds for divorce are recognized.

Fault-based grounds for divorce in Rhode Island include impotence, adultery, continued drunkenness and/or drug addiction, willful desertion, extreme cruelty, inhuman treatment, and gross neglect. The plaintiff must prove any of these fault grounds before the court.

The main feature of the no-fault grounds for divorce is that they imply that no one is to blame. No-fault grounds for divorce in Rhode Island are Living separate and apart without cohabitation for three years and Irreconcilable differences which have caused the breakdown of the marriage.