Washington, DC asked in Divorce for Virginia

Q: Could a porn addiction be grounds for divorce in the state of Virginia?

I have been told that the answer is no. However, I feel that this could fall under the category as emotional abuse. Especially if your husband is saying things like "well, you just can't do it like they do."

Related Topics:
1 Lawyer Answer
Gary D. Godman
Gary D. Godman
Answered
  • Stafford, VA
  • Licensed in Virginia

A: I'm guessing I am the person who answered your initial question, but let me expand my answer a bit. This is not likely to be sufficient grounds for divorce in Virginia. Code section 20-91 (link below) lists the grounds for divorce, and the grounds relating to abuse are:

"Where either party has been guilty of cruelty, caused reasonable apprehension of bodily hurt, or willfully deserted or abandoned the other, such divorce may be decreed to the innocent party after a period of one year from the date of such act"

While his treatment of you may be unfair and is clearly harmful to your marriage, I am not certain it rises to the level of "cruelty" or "willful desertion or abandonment." However, you should still consult with an attorney to go over the details and see if there is case law to back up your position.

http://law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title20/chapter6/section20-91/

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.