Extreme cruelty is a legal term used in various jurisdictions to describe a specific ground for divorce or legal separation. It typically refers to conduct by one spouse that is so severe and intolerable that it seriously endangers the physical or mental health of the other spouse, making it impossible for them to continue living together as a married couple. Examples of extreme cruelty may include physical abuse, verbal threats or harassment, emotional manipulation, or other forms of mistreatment. In divorce proceedings, establishing extreme cruelty as grounds for divorce may entitle the injured spouse to seek a dissolution of the marriage and potentially obtain additional relief, such as spousal support or custody arrangements.
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This glossary post was last updated: 29th March, 2024.
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