Bill Would Abolish No Fault Divorces

A Kansas House member has introduced legislation to abolish no-fault divorce in the state.

The bill would remove “incompatibility” as a valid reason for divorce. Instead, people who file for divorce would have to prove their spouses’ fault.

Republican Keith Esau, of Olathe, introduced the bill Thursday in the House Judiciary Committee for a fellow lawmaker whom he said he did not have permission to identify.

But Esau – who serves on the judiciary panel – says he supports the measure. He says no-fault divorce gives people an easy way out of marriage.

Another Judiciary Committee member, Democrat Jim Ward of Wichita, opposes the idea. Ward has handled divorces in his law practice and says contentious divorces are especially hard when children are involved.

Associated Press information from: The Wichita Eagle