The establishment of domicile within the state and a specific county dictates eligibility to file for dissolution of marriage. A petitioner must have resided in the state for at least six months and in a particular county for at least 90 days preceding the filing of the divorce petition. These criteria, related to the physical presence and intention to remain in a specific location, are prerequisites for a court to have jurisdiction over the matter.
Meeting these location-based criteria is fundamental to ensuring that courts handle cases with ties to the jurisdiction. This requirement prevents individuals from simply filing in a location convenient for them without demonstrating a substantial connection to the area. Historically, these stipulations have been implemented to maintain order within the legal system and prevent forum shopping, where individuals seek out courts perceived as more favorable to their case, even if they lack a genuine connection to that location.