physical cruelty
As a ground for divorce, actual personal violence committed by one spouse against the other. [Cases: Divorce 27(3, 6). C.J.S. Divorce §§ 24, 27, 29–31.]
Search Results for: physical cruelty
mental cruelty
As a ground for divorce, one spouse’s course of conduct (not involving actual violence) that creates such anguish that it endangers the life, physical health, or mental health of the other spouse. See EMOTIONAL DISTRESS. [Cases: Divorce 27. C.J.S. Divorce § 22.]
extreme cruelty
As a ground for divorce, one spouse’s physical violence toward the other spouse, or conduct that destroys or severely impairs the other spouse’s mental health. — Also termed cruel and inhumane treatment. Cf. ABUSE (2). [Cases: Divorce 34. C.J.S. Divorce § 19.]
fault divorce
A divorce granted to one spouse on the basis of some proven wrongful act (grounds for divorce) by the other spouse. • Although all states now have some form of no-fault divorce, some jurisdictions still consider a spouse’s fault in precipitating the divorce, esp. when dividing marital property or when awarding alimony. Traditionally, the common
inhuman treatment
inhuman treatment. Family law. Physical or mental cruelty so severe that it endangers life or health. • Inhuman treatment is usu. grounds for divorce. See CRUELTY. [Cases: Divorce 27(1, 3). C.J.S. Divorce §§ 22–26, 28–32, 34–35.]