Legal Definitions - Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act

The Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act is a model law created in 1970 that defines marriage and divorce. It was designed to make marriage and divorce laws more consistent across different states in the United States.

One of the most significant changes introduced by the Act was the concept of irreconcilable differences as the sole ground for divorce. This means that a couple can get divorced if they simply cannot get along anymore, rather than having to prove that one spouse did something wrong.

Although the Uniform Marriage and Divorce Act has only been adopted in a few states, it has had a big impact on marriage and divorce laws across the country.

For example, before the Act, some states required couples to live apart for a certain amount of time before they could get divorced. The Act eliminated this requirement, making it easier for couples to end their marriages.

Another example is that the Act introduced the idea of no-fault divorce, which means that a couple can get divorced without having to prove that one spouse was at fault for the breakdown of the marriage. This has made divorce less contentious and more accessible for many people.