Married couples in England can now divorce without blaming each other
‘No-fault’ divorces will mean one spouse no longer needs to prove adultery, unreasonable behaviour or desertion Unhappy spouses in England and Wales can now end their marriages without blaming each other. “No-fault” divorces will mean from Wednesday, one spouse no longer needs to prove the other guilty of either adultery, “unreasonable behaviour” or desertion. Previously, without such proof, couples had to live apart for two years before a divorce could be granted — or five years if one partner objected to the proceedings. The biggest reform of divorce law for 50 years brings England and Wales into line with Scotland, the US, Australia and Germany. In 2018, Tini Owens lost a Supreme Court fight when she failed to persuade the judges that her 40-year marriage should end. Her husband had contested her claims of unreasonable behaviour. Judges ruled that being trapped in an unhappy marriage was not in itself grounds for divorce. “No one should have to remain in a loveless marriage ...