A dissolution of marriage in Wisconsin where neither party is required to prove fault or misconduct on the part of the other to obtain a divorce. Instead, a divorce can be granted based on the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. This means the court finds that the marital relationship is damaged beyond repair and there is no reasonable prospect of reconciliation. For example, if a couple simply grows apart and no longer wishes to be married, they can pursue this type of divorce.
This approach streamlines the divorce process by removing the need for adversarial proceedings focused on blame. This can lead to reduced legal costs and emotional distress for both parties and any children involved. Historically, divorce laws often required proof of fault, such as adultery or abuse, which could be difficult and contentious to establish. The introduction of this type of divorce aimed to simplify the process and focus on equitable division of assets and arrangements for children.