| Being in a romantic relationship with a spouse who is | | | | grounds you can use. |
| mentally ill can be an extremely trying and potentially | | | | - Make sure you meet all of the requirements of |
| even devastating emotional experience. In some | | | | your jurisdiction. This means fulfilling all of the |
| cases, divorce may seem like the only option for | | | | requirements your state mandates. If you are using |
| spouses who have grown apart from one another | | | | psychiatric problems as a grounds for divorce, you |
| due to the problem. This is especially true in cases | | | | may need official documentation of your spouse's |
| when mental health problems contribute to physically | | | | diagnosis and symptoms. |
| or emotionally abusive behaviors. It is important for | | | | - File a petition for divorce to being the legal process. |
| spouses in this painful situation to understand that | | | | - Undergo any court proceedings necessary to |
| certain states have laws governing divorce and | | | | confirm the filing of the divorce. |
| psychiatric diagnoses. | | | | Divorcing a psychologically unhealthy is a unique |
| Steps to Take | | | | circumstance. The court may require a medical |
| The following steps should be taken if you choose to | | | | evaluation of your spouse to indicate that the illness |
| pursue a divorce from your spouse: | | | | is legitimate. In some states, psychiatric difficulties are |
| - Research the laws governing your state. A few | | | | not considered grounds for ending a marriage. In this |
| states do not list mental health problems as potential | | | | case, you will likely need to cite "irreconcilable |
| grounds for divorce; however, there will be other | | | | differences" as your reason for dissolving your union. |