Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: substantiate
Term: INDIGNITY
Definition: Indignity is a reason for divorce when one spouse behaves in a way that is meant to embarrass or shame the other spouse. This is also called personal indignity. It is different from cruelty, which involves physical or emotional harm.
Indignity (in-dig-ni-tee) is a term used in family law to describe a situation where one spouse's behavior is intended to humiliate the other spouse. This behavior can be a ground for divorce and is also known as personal indignity. It is similar to cruelty, which is another ground for divorce.
Examples of behavior that can be considered as indignity include:
For instance, if a husband constantly calls his wife names and makes fun of her in front of their friends, it can be considered as personal indignity. Similarly, if a wife refuses to talk to her husband for days and ignores his presence, it can also be considered as personal indignity.
These examples illustrate how one spouse's behavior can be calculated to humiliate the other and can be a ground for divorce.