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Simple English definitions for legal terms
extreme cruelty
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A quick definition of extreme cruelty:
Extreme cruelty is a type of divorce where one spouse says the other spouse was very mean to them. This can mean many different things depending on the state, like hitting, yelling, or not having a job. Some people choose to get an extreme cruelty divorce because they might get more things or have an easier time getting custody of their children. In some states, they don't have to wait as long to get divorced if they say extreme cruelty was the reason.
A more thorough explanation:
Extreme cruelty
Extreme cruelty is a type of divorce where one spouse claims that the other spouse has caused them physical or mental harm. This type of divorce is only available in a few states that still allow fault divorces. Extreme cruelty can include a wide range of behaviors, such as domestic violence, yelling, bad credit, or not having a job. The definition of extreme cruelty varies by state.
- A husband hits his wife and causes her physical harm.
- A wife constantly belittles her husband and causes him emotional distress.
- A spouse spends all of the couple's money and ruins their credit score.
These examples illustrate extreme cruelty because they involve one spouse causing harm to the other spouse, either physically or mentally. In the first example, the husband's physical violence is extreme cruelty. In the second example, the wife's emotional abuse is extreme cruelty. In the third example, the spouse's financial irresponsibility is extreme cruelty because it causes harm to the other spouse's financial well-being.
It's important to note that not all states allow extreme cruelty as a reason for divorce, and the definition of extreme cruelty can vary by state. In some states, extreme cruelty may be a factor in determining property division or child custody.