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Divorce Residency Essentials to Get Divorce in South Dakota

The spouse filing for divorce must be a resident of South Dakota or a member of the Armed Forces stationed in South Dakota at the time of the filing and must remain a resident until the divorce is final. There is no durational residency requirement. The divorce may be filed for in the county where either spouse resides, but the defendant has the right to have it transferred to his or her county of residence if desired. In addition, there is a 60-day waiting period after filing before a hearing will be held or the divorce will be granted. [South Dakota Codified Laws; Volume 9A, Title 25, Chapters 25-4-30, 25-4-30.1, and 25-4-34].

Reasons for Divorce in South Dakota

There are mainly two reasons of divorce in South Dakota those are fault and general.In order to file for divorce in South Dakota, the proper grounds must be established. Both spouses are involved in establishing these grounds, and both must substantiate and agree upon these, unless the divorcing spouse is trying to prove otherwise to the court.

No-fault grounds for a divorce in South Dakota include:

• Irreconcilable differences which have caused the irretrievable breakdown of the marriage. [South Dakota Codified Laws; Title 25, Chapters 25-4-2, 25-4-17.2, and 25-4-18].

General reasons fordivorce in South Dakota include:

• Adultery;
• Conviction of a felony;
• Willful desertion;
• Cruel and inhuman treatment;
• Willful neglect; and
• Habitual intemperance [drunkenness]. [South Dakota Codified Laws; Title 25, Chap­ters 25-4-2 and 25-4-18].

Custody of the Children in South Dakota

Sole or joint child custody is to be awarded based on the discretion of the court and the best interests of the child. Fault is not to be considered unless it is relevant to the fitness of a parent to have custody. Neither parent is considered the preferred parent based on the parent’s sex. The preference of the child may be considered. In joint custody decisions, the court may consider the expressed desires of the parents and the best interests of the child. No other specific factors are specified. There are specific Child Visitation Guidelines established by the South Dakota Supreme Court which shall be used to establish visitation schedules, unless the parents provide a signed agreement providing otherwise. [South Dakota Codified Laws; Title 25, Chapters 25-3-11, 25-4-25, 25-4-45.1, 25-4A-12, and 25-5-7.1 to 25-5-7.3 and South Dakota Case Law].

Property Distribution in South Dakota

South Dakota is an “equitable distribution” state. All of the spouse’s property is equitably divided by the court. Marital fault is not to be considered unless it is relevant to the acquisition of property during the marriage. The only factor specified in the statute is a consideration of the equity and circumstances of the spouses. South Dakota courts have interpreted this to include the following factors for consideration:

• The contribution of each spouse to the acquisition of the marital property, including the contribution of each spouse as homemaker;
• The value of each spouse’s property;
• The length of the mar­riage;
• The age and health of the spouses;
• The present and potential earning capability of each spouse;
• The value of the property; and
• The income-producing capacity of the spouse’s assets. [South Dakota Codified Laws; Title 25, Chapters 25-4-44 and 25-4-45.1 and South Dakota Case Law].

South Dakota Spousal Support Guidelines

Either spouse may be awarded maintenance for life or a shorter period. The only factor specified in the statute is a consideration of the circumstances of the spouses. South Dakota courts have interpreted this to include the following factors for consideration:

• The duration of the marriage;
• The ability of the spouse from whom support is sought to meet his or her needs while meeting those of the spouse seeking support;
• The financial resources of the spouse seeking maintenance, including marital property apportioned to such spouse and such spouse’s ability to meet his or her needs independently;
• The comparative financial resources of the spouses, including their comparative earning abilities in the labor market;
• The age of the spouses;
• The physical and emotional conditions of the spouses;
• The fault of the spouses during the marriage.

Reasonable security may be required to guarantee the payment of maintenance. [South Dakota Codified Laws; Title 25, Chapters 25-4-42, 25-4-44, 25-4-45.1, 25-7A-20 and South Dakota Case Law].

South Dakota Child Support Guidelines

Either or both parents may be ordered to provide child support. There is an official child support obligation schedule set forth in the statute. Deviation from the official schedule may be based on a consideration of the following factors:

• The financial condition of either parent that would make application of the schedule inequitable;
• Income tax consequences;
• Any special needs of the child;
• Income from other persons;
• The effect of custody and visitation provisions;
• Childcare expenses necessary to obtain employment, education, or training;
• Agreements between the parents which provide other forms of support for the direct benefit of the child;
• A voluntary reduction in the income of either parent; and
• Any other support obligations of a parent.

The support payments may be ordered to be paid through the court clerk. Wage withholding orders may also be ordered. [South Dakota Codified Laws; Title 25, Chapters 25-3-11, 25-4-38, 25-4-45 and 25-7-6.2 to 25-7-6.12.].

Divorce Mediation

If the court determines that there is a reasonable pos­sibility for reconciliation between the spouses, the divorce proceedings can be delayed for up to 30 days while the spouses seek counseling. [South Dakota Codified Laws; Title 25, Chapter 25-4-17.2].