Irreconcilable Differences?

Shortly after I posted a recent blog about “No Fault Divorce”, I received a question while I was on the radio (690 A.M. with Bob and Rob Allison’s ‘Ask Your Neighbor’ program. . .Fridays at 9 a.m.) talking about No Fault Divorce issues. I was asked about the phrase “Irreconcilable Differences”. That is a phrase we hear frequently in the media when Hollywood couples are divorcing. Keep in mind, those divorces are typically in California where the law regarding pleading requirements is different.

In Michigan, among other things, the typical divorce complaint will state that “there has been a breakdown of the marriage relationship to the extent that the objects of matrimony have been destroyed and there remains no reasonable likelihood that the marriage can be preserved”. In fact, there is a specific law or statute that prevents parties from stating specific reasons for fault in the divorce complaint. The reason behind this prohibition is to try and encourage parties to resolve their differences with decorum particularly when there are children involved. The divorce process is not designed to embarrass one party or the other. If you are seeking revenge against your spouse, you are likely to be disappointed with the end result.

As I have said before, I will tell you “how it is”. . . I will not give you false hope that you’re going to punish your spouse for all of his/her misdeeds. On the other hand, if your spouse is being unreasonable, then aggressive strategies may be necessary to “motivate” him/her to reach a proper resolution.