A dissolution of marriage in Louisiana where one party is deemed responsible for the breakdown of the marital relationship due to specific actions. Examples of these actions can include adultery, felony conviction resulting in imprisonment, physical or sexual abuse of the spouse or a child, abandonment, or habitual intemperance. Unlike a no-fault divorce, the petitioner must prove the other spouse committed a fault ground to obtain the judgment.
Establishing fault in a divorce proceeding can have implications for issues such as alimony and child custody arrangements. Historically, proving fault was the primary method to obtain a divorce; however, the introduction of no-fault divorce options provided an alternative. The benefit of pursuing this path lies in potentially influencing the outcome of spousal support awards or gaining an advantage in custody disputes, contingent on the specifics of the proven fault and its impact on the welfare of any children involved.
