Most states allow spouses seeking a divorce to allege fault in the breakup of the marriage as a basis for the divorce. Alleging the other spouse’s fault—rather than seeking the divorce on no-fault grounds (irreconcilable differences or incompatibility, making the marriage unsustainable)—is generally a basis for requesting the court make an uneven distribution of the marital or community property in favor of the spouse alleging the other’s spouse’s fault.

In states that allow a spouse to seek a divorce on fault grounds, the grounds that may be alleged vary from state to state, but generally include adultery, cruelty, conviction of a felony, family or domestic violence, abandonment, mental illness, and substance abuse (drugs and alcohol). Spouses may also seek a divorce on no-fault grounds in these states.

In no-fault states, a spouse is not allowed to allege fault as grounds for the divorce, and the court is not allowed to consider fault in dividing the marital or community property—but allegations of fault may be considered for other purposes, such as spousal support and child custody. No-fault states include California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, and Wisconsin. And in some states “incurable insanity” is a no-fault ground for divorce.

The grounds on which a spouse may seek a divorce (fault or no-fault) are usually located in a state’s statutes—often in the family code or domestic relations code.

In Maryland, spouses seeking a divorce can file on either fault or no-fault grounds. No-fault divorce can be sought on the basis of a 12-month continuous separation or mutual consent without any waiting period if certain conditions are met, including a settlement agreement and no minor children in common. Fault-based divorces can be pursued for reasons such as adultery, desertion, cruelty, excessively vicious conduct, conviction of certain crimes, and insanity. Maryland law allows for the consideration of fault when dividing marital property, which can result in an uneven distribution favoring the non-faulting spouse. Additionally, fault may be relevant in determinations of alimony and child custody. The specific statutes governing divorce in Maryland can be found in the Family Law section of the Maryland Code.