Over four decades ago this month, then Governor Ronald Reagan signed into law the Family Law Act of 1969. This action allowed couples living in California to separate under what is known as a “no fault divorce.” Previously, any couples seeking a
divorce in our state – or anywhere in the nation for that matter – were required to provide a definitive reason, or fault, for the divorce request. The reasons could range from infidelity to imprisonment. But, under Governor Reagan’s leadership, couples were no longer bound to this reasoning and could simply site “irreconcilable differences” for the desire to split. This is a fancier way of saying “this is not working out.” The Family Law Act was a landmark piece of legislation and the first of its kind in the country.
Keep in mind, that while this type of lawmaking makes perfect sense in 2015, in the late 60s this action garnered a certain amount of controversy. Historically, marriages have been viewed as a sacred pact, bonding two individuals for the remainder of their natural lives. However, as social norms evolved through the 20th century and divorce rates skyrocketed, it became apparent that assigning blame to one spouse or another in each case was unwieldy at best or immoral at worst. Ironically, maintaining a moral center was and remains the primary argument for fault-based divorces. Despite the country’s deep divide on the issue of marriage, all states now offer no-fault divorces as an option in some form or another.
For more information on divorce and family law matters, contact the
Law Office of Rick D. Banks and schedule a consultation today. We can be reached at
(559)222-4891.
