[CaptainK]

Frankly, I’d love to see a no-fault divorce law that said whichever wants out, they’re out; of the money, the house and the kids.

The one problem with that is many times the offending party makes life miserable for their partner while showing no compunction to leave.

[conservative cat]

Agreed. And/or they skip out with another person and act financially irresponsibly in the process, leaving that party no choice but to make the first party’s arrangement’s legally official.

As it is, the person filing (in no-fault, community property states) then gets the added joy of being the one who bears the higher legal costs, as well, too. (It costs more to file, do discovery, etc.)

[RobRoy]

>>The one problem with that is many times the offending party makes life miserable for their partner while showing no compunction to leave.<<

I agree. That is why I think the only way out is if the other side of the marriage can be convicted of a felony, e.g. physical abuse.