Rule 984 There is no privilege under this article in: (a) A proceeding brought by or on behalf of one spouse against the other spouse.

When spouses sue each other, neither one can use the marital privilege to keep their private conversations secret in court. For example, if one spouse sues the other for divorce, domestic violence, or any other legal dispute, either spouse can be forced to share what was said in private between them.

The same rule applies after one spouse dies. If the surviving spouse is in a legal dispute with someone who is claiming money or property through the deceased spouse, such as through a will, inheritance, or a deal made before death, the marital privilege does not apply there either.