Legal Definitions - irretrievable breakdown of the marriage

Definition: Irretrievable breakdown of the marriage is a legal term used in family law to describe a situation where a marriage has broken down beyond repair due to incompatibility between the partners. It is often used as the sole ground for no-fault divorce in many states.

Examples:

• A couple has been living separately for several years and has tried counseling, but they are unable to reconcile their differences. They file for divorce based on irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.
• A spouse has been abusive and unfaithful, causing irreparable damage to the marriage. The other spouse files for divorce based on irretrievable breakdown of the marriage.

These examples illustrate how irretrievable breakdown of the marriage can be used as a ground for divorce when the marriage has broken down beyond repair due to incompatibility or other irreparable issues.