A dissolution of marriage in Ohio that does not require either party to prove the other committed wrongdoing is termed a no-fault divorce. This approach contrasts with traditional fault-based divorces, where allegations of adultery, abuse, or abandonment are necessary grounds for dissolving the marriage. In a no-fault divorce, the primary basis is typically irreconcilable differences, indicating that the marriage has broken down irretrievably and without assigning blame to either spouse.
The availability of no-fault divorce proceedings simplifies the divorce process, potentially reducing conflict and legal costs. This system acknowledges that marriages can end for a variety of reasons beyond provable fault. It allows couples who mutually agree the marriage is over to proceed more amicably, focusing on issues like property division, spousal support, and child custody rather than engaging in adversarial accusations. This also reflects an evolution in societal views on marriage and divorce, recognizing the right to end a marriage without assigning moral blame.