Rule 8.03 Corroboration

Here's a plain English summary:

If you're filing for divorce, your own testimony usually isn't enough to prove your case. You need someone else to back up what you're saying with their own testimony. This is called corroboration, and it means another witness has to confirm the key facts you're claiming, like the grounds for your divorce.

There are two exceptions to this rule. First, if you're filing for divorce based only on irreconcilable differences (meaning both spouses agree the marriage isn't working and there's no fault being claimed), you don't need a witness to back up your testimony. Second, if a specific law says you don't have to provide corroboration, then this rule doesn't apply to your situation.

For most people filing for fault-based divorce (such as adultery, cruelty, or desertion), this means you can't just tell your side of the story alone. You'll need a friend, family member, or someone else with knowledge of the situation to testify and support your claims before the court will grant the divorce.