If your spouse’s parents don’t like you is that grounds for divorce? Consider Kerry’s story.

Kline, a well-known family lawyer, couldn’t sleep past 5 am. So he was the first one in his law office Monday morning. He flipped on the lights and started checking email. Among the dozens of pitches from salespeople and scam artists, one from a young lady named Kerry caught his attention.

“My husband left me on Friday,” she said.  “He called me today and said he would like to get back together but his parents are against it and they want him to divorce me. Can he do that legally?”

Kline leaned back in this chair and looked at the ceiling.  “No,” he said. “You have to state your grounds for divorce in your complaint. Grounds are reasons for divorce. They are listed in the law. Parents don’t like me is not on the list.”

“What’s on the list?” Kerry asked.

“For Maryland?”

“Yes.”

Kline recited the list:

• One Year Separation
• Adultery
• Desertion
• Conviction of a Felony or Misdemeanor
• Insanity
• Cruelty
• Excessively Vicious Conduct
• Mutual Consent

“Wow.  Thanks,” said Kerry.  “Now I’ll be able to sleep.”  Kline was wide awake as he filed her email under “Prospective Clients”.