Marriage is a union based on love and respect. It is a basic condition for a healthy marriage that spouses treat each other with respect and avoid actions that would harm their dignity. Unfortunately, in some marriages, one spouse may behave degradingly towards the other. This situation shakes the foundations of the marital union and may lead to divorce.
According to Article 162 of the Turkish Civil Code, “Each spouse may file a lawsuit for divorce due to an attempt on his/her life, or a very bad treatment, or a seriously humiliating behavior by the other.” Disgraceful behavior to be evaluated within the scope of this article may be verbal or actual.
Some examples of degrading behavior:
Insulting, humiliating or swearing at one’s spouse
Speaking or behaving in a way that harms the spouse’s personality or family honor
Revealing partner’s flaws or past to others
Cheating or leaving your spouse
Using or threatening violence against one’s spouse
Restricting or monitoring the spouse’s freedoms
Putting your spouse in a difficult financial or moral situation
To file for divorce due to dishonorable behavior:
The plaintiff must file a lawsuit within 6 months from the date he learned about these behaviors.
The plaintiff must prove that these behaviors make the marriage unbearable.
The plaintiff must seek reconciliation before filing for divorce.
Some factors taken into account by the court in divorce cases filed due to dishonorable behavior:
Frequency and intensity of behaviors
The impact of behavior on marital union
Spouses’ flaws
Status of common children
