N.D. Cent. Code » Title 14 · Chapter 14-05
North Dakota Century Code

N.D. Cent. Code § 14-05-03 (2026)

Causes for divorce

✓ text as last checked July 2026 (this copy records no edition or section history)
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Divorces may be granted for any of the following causes:

1. Adultery.

2. Extreme cruelty.

3. Willful desertion.

4. Willful neglect.

5. Abuse of alcohol or controlled substances.

6. Conviction of felony.

7. Irreconcilable differences.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16 cases, 1963–2019 · leading case: Dufner v. Dufner, 2002 ND 47, 640 N.W.2d 694.
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Dufner v. Dufner, 2002 ND 47, 640 N.W.2d 694. · cites it 4× “*698 N.D.C.C. § 14-05-03. 1 If the evidence establishes one of the grounds for divorce, it is not necessary for the court to make findings on other available grounds.”
Rebel v. Rebel, 2013 ND 116, 833 N.W.2d 442. · cites it 4× “§ 14-0503 (1943) and N.D.C.C. § 14-05-03 (Supp. 1965). In 1971, following this Court’s adoption of the Ruff-Fischer guidelines, the Legislative Assembly adopted “irreconcilable differences” as a ground for divorce.”
Novlesky v. Novlesky, 206 N.W.2d 865 (N.D. 1973). · cites it 10× “3, found: "That there are incidents of beatings inflicted upon the plaintiff by the defendant; * * *" This part of the finding, it appears, is a finding of "extreme cruelty" and is a cause for which a divorce may be granted under Section 14-05-03, N.D.C.C. It is defined as "the…”
Hultberg v. Hultberg, 259 N.W.2d 41 (N.D. 1977). · cites it 4× “, codified as subdivision 8 of Section 14-05-03 and Section 14-05-09.1, N.”
Michael D.C. v. Wanda L.C., 497 S.E.2d 531 (W. Va. 1997). “Law § 170 (4) (1988); N.D. CentCode § 14-05-03(1) (1991); Ohio Rev.”
Datz v. Dosch, 2013 ND 148, 836 N.W.2d 598. · cites it 2× “N.D.C.C. § 14-05-03. “Adultery is the voluntary sexual intercourse of a married person with a person other than the offender’s husband or wife.”
Bosma v. Bosma, 287 N.W.2d 447 (N.D. 1979). · cites it 3× “” Thereafter, in its conclusions of law, the district court made the following awards of alimony, child support, and the division of property: “IV. “The Defendant shall pay to the Plaintiff as and for child support of the minor child born of the marriage the sum of Two Hundred…”
Galloway v. Galloway, 281 N.W.2d 804 (N.D. 1979). “” The divorce was granted on the grounds of irreconcilable differences (§§ 14-05-03(8) and 14-05-09.1, NDCC). Henry is a lawyer and, at all times, has appeared pro se.”
Dyer v. Tsapis, 249 S.E.2d 509 (W. Va. 1978). “§ 22-7 -KA) [1973]; N.D. Cent. Code § 14-05-03 [1971]; Okla. Stat.”
Swanson v. Swanson, 2019 ND 25, 921 N.W.2d 666. · cites it 2× “After a three day trial, the district court granted the divorce based on irreconcilable differences under N.D.C.C. § 14-05-03. In considering the Ruff-Fischer guidelines, the district court weighed evidence regarding each party's fault and concluded neither party's fault would…”
Keig v. Keig, 270 N.W.2d 558 (N.D. 1978). “William Keig from a judgment granting him a divorce from Gladys Keig on the ground of irreconcilable differences (§§ 14-05-03 and 14-05-09.1, NDCC). The district court awarded Gladys Keig alimony and made a division of the property (§ 14-05-24, NDCC).”
Lawrence v. Lawrence, 432 N.W.2d 897 (N.D. 1988). · cites it 4× “Section 14-05-03(8), N.D.C.C., is void for vagueness or overbroad; 3.”
Show all 16 citing cases →
N.D. Cent. Code § 14-05-03(1): 1 case
Michael D.C. v. Wanda L.C., 497 S.E.2d 531 (W. Va. 1997). “Law § 170 (4) (1988); N.D. CentCode § 14-05-03(1) (1991); Ohio Rev.”
N.D. Cent. Code § 14-05-03(2): 1 case
Bosma v. Bosma, 287 N.W.2d 447 (N.D. 1979). “” Thereafter, in its conclusions of law, the district court made the following awards of alimony, child support, and the division of property: “IV. “The Defendant shall pay to the Plaintiff as and for child support of the minor child born of the marriage the sum of Two Hundred…”
N.D. Cent. Code § 14-05-03(8): 3 cases
Galloway v. Galloway, 281 N.W.2d 804 (N.D. 1979). “” The divorce was granted on the grounds of irreconcilable differences (§§ 14-05-03(8) and 14-05-09.1, NDCC). Henry is a lawyer and, at all times, has appeared pro se.”
Lawrence v. Lawrence, 432 N.W.2d 897 (N.D. 1988). “Section 14-05-03(8), N.D.C.C., is void for vagueness or overbroad; 3.”
Novlesky v. Novlesky, 206 N.W.2d 865 (N.D. 1973). “3, found: "That there are incidents of beatings inflicted upon the plaintiff by the defendant; * * *" This part of the finding, it appears, is a finding of "extreme cruelty" and is a cause for which a divorce may be granted under Section 14-05-03, N.D.C.C. It is defined as "the…”
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