“Never discuss politics at the dinner table.” That saying is well-known and in many cases, it’s followed. For a lot of families, couples, and friends politics (or religion) is something that you either discuss passionately (when you’re on the same side) or never (because of differences). Nowadays though it seems like this subject is becoming harder to avoid. Partisanship and polarization seem to be everpresent, and some studies show it’s shaping our relationships and friendships.
So, it’s not a secret that conversations can get heated when it’s about which candidate is best or why your religion shapes you deeply. Not all politically divided marriages end up in divorce. A 2020 study showed that only 16% of Americans polled had a recently fractured relationship due to politics. Sometimes politics is to blame but it could be a combination of factors.
The question is: can you use politics or religion as grounds for divorce?
Can you work out your differences?
All relationships have a tipping point. In fact, you probably know your limit very well. Some folks might quit on the spot if their boss withholds a check. Others might end a friendship if they believe the other person is too rude or distrustful. Marriages have similar tipping points but with much higher stakes. Couples who marry usually work on these boundaries and differences for years. They know where not to push and where the hard stops are at. So, when deeply personal convictions boil over disagreements can cause tons of stress.
What happens if your partner has a sudden change of heart? They go from leaning one way and start supporting the other side. You might feel torn. You might not blame them for changing opinions. After all, how many preferences or beliefs do we go through in our lives? Still, you know your boundaries and you know that you might not be able to support their change in beliefs. What happens if it starts affecting your life at home? What happens if you have children? These questions are all valid and they come up a lot.
If these differences can’t be worked out. Or, if they’re affecting your marriage to an intolerable level, divorce might be the only way to seek relief. If this is the route you take here are a few things to know.
Georgia’s No-Fault Divorce Laws
Georgia has 13 grounds for divorce. 12 are fault-based and 1 is no-fault grounds. Of the 12 fault-based grounds for divorce, none relate to religion or politics. In other words, you cannot cast fault on your spouse for their political or religious beliefs. However, you do have the option to divorce based on an irretrievably broken marriage. This has become the standard ground for divorce. It’s a catchall reason. Meaning, that when you file your divorce papers and choose this as the grounds for a divorce, you won’t have to delve into the short-term and long-term reasons the marriage has broken down. The simple fact is that the pillars of your marriage have weakened over time.
Established Atlanta Divorce Attorneys
Divorce is not a walk in the park. Even if you and your spouse agree to divorce amicably there’s a lot you need to prepare for. Who files first? What happens to the house? What do I need to prepare for? These are all questions that our firm deals with on a regular basis. We’ve spent over 30 years building a reputation of trust and expertise in Georgia. We offer consultations in person at any of our offices in Atlanta, Marietta, Lawrenceville, Cumming, or Savannah. We also happily offer virtual consultations via Zoom or over the phone. Contact us online or call our toll-free number at 866-687-8561 to schedule an appointment with any of our attorneys.