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Hit the Road Mark: Jenny Sanford Files For Divorce

By Minara El-Rahman on December 11, 2009 | Last updated on March 21, 2019

Soon to be ex-wife Jenny Sanford filed for divorce from South Carolina governor Mark Sanford. The New York Daily News reports that Jenny Sanford filed for divorce after many failed attempts at reconciliation with her estranged husband. The Sanford divorce is definitely not a surprise to many people.

The New York Daily News quotes her released statement as saying, "This came after many unsuccessful efforts at reconciliation, yet I am still dedicated to keeping the process that lies ahead peaceful for our family."

As a result of the affair being made public, South Carolina governor Mark Sanford gave a news conference where he called his Argentinian mistress Maria Belen Chapur his "soul mate". After he said that, he claimed that he wanted to reconcile with Jenny Sanford and save their marriage. He is quoted by the New York Daily News as saying, "I want to take full responsibility for the moral failure that led us to this tragic point. Jenny is a great person, and has been a remarkable wife, mother and First Lady."

Clearly this pledge did not exactly pan out. After being married for nearly 20 years, Jenny Sanford cited adultery as grounds for the divorce.

While the Sanford divorce is a sad story, do you know the legal requirements for divorce in your state?

  • One party must be a legal resident of the state for at least one year. If both parties are residents, then the residency requirements drops to three months
  • Divorce decrees will not be granted until a waiting period of three months after the filing has been fulfilled. The only exception to this rule is if the grounds for divorce is separation or desertion
  • For a no-fault divorce to be granted, a couple must be separated for one year continuously
  • Some grounds for divorce in this state include: adultery, cruelty/violence, desertion for one year, drug/alcohol addiction, and separation for one year

For more information about divorce in general, and divorce in your state, please visit our Related Resources links.

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