No fault divorce in United States

• Until 1969, all states required a cause for divorce
• Allowed causes included adultery, abandonment, felony, etc.
• Recrimination was a valid defense (ie. "you did it too")
• In Alabama in the 1800's, the state legislature and state senate were required to approve divorces by 2/3 majority
• Before no fault divorce, some couples would collude lies to obtain divorce
• California was first state to pass no fault divorce law. Signed by Gov Reagan in 1969
• By 1983, all but 2 states (S Dakota, NY) allowed no fault divorce
• NY was last state to allow no fault divorce (2010)

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