Legal Definitions - incompatibility

Definition: Incompatibility refers to when a married couple has persistent and unresolvable differences or conflicts that make it impossible for them to continue living together as spouses. This is now recognized as grounds for no-fault divorce in every state. Some states use terms like irreconcilable differences or irremediable or irretrievable breakdown. It usually happens because of a conflict of personality and character. If one party wants a divorce and can prove the incompatibility, the court will grant the divorce even if the other party doesn't want it.

Example: John and Jane have been married for five years, but they can't seem to get along. They argue all the time, and they have different values and interests. John wants to have children, but Jane doesn't. They've tried counseling, but it hasn't helped. They've decided that they're just not compatible, and they want to get a divorce.

Explanation: In this example, John and Jane have persistent and unresolvable differences that make it impossible for them to continue living together as spouses. They've tried to work things out, but they can't. They've decided that they're just not compatible, and they want to get a divorce. This is an example of incompatibility.