In Georgia, there are thirteen statutory grounds for divorce according to O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3. In this series of blog posts, we will dive into the details regarding each statutory ground for divorce.
Reason #1: You're married to a relative
In Georgia, marriage between fathers and daughters, mothers and sons, brothers and sisters, grandparents and grandchildren, aunts and nephews, and uncles and nieces is prohibited. As such, intermarriage is a grounds for divorce in Georgia. O.C.G.A. § 19-5-3(1). For many, marrying a close relative may be inconceivable. However, in the event two close relatives do happen to marry (due to mistake or misidentification) a divorce may be obtained based on Georgia's first grounds for divorce. It should be noted though, that cousins who have married may not use this grounds for divorce as a foundation for divorce, because intermarriage between cousins is not prohibited in Georgia.