Good Faith
An honest and sincere intention to deal fairly, without deception or hidden motives, in legal proceedings or negotiations.
Understanding Good Faith
Good faith is a legal standard that requires parties in divorce to act honestly and transparently. Both spouses have a duty to negotiate in good faith during settlement discussions and mediation. This means making full financial disclosures, not hiding assets, and genuinely attempting to reach fair agreements. A court may impose sanctions or adverse rulings against a party found to have acted in bad faith, such as deliberately delaying proceedings or making false claims.
Real-World Examples
The judge admonished the husband for failing to negotiate in good faith after he rejected three reasonable settlement offers without any counteroffer.
Related Terms
Required exchange of financial documents between both spouses early in the divorce process, regardless of whether either side requests them.
PerjuryThe criminal offense of deliberately lying under oath or in a sworn document, such as a financial affidavit in divorce proceedings.
MediationA voluntary process where a neutral third party helps divorcing spouses negotiate and reach agreements on disputed issues.
Related Guides
Have Questions About Good Faith?
Our AI advisor can explain how good faith applies to your specific situation — free, private, and available 24/7.
Ask About Good FaithWas this helpful? Help us keep it free.
divorce911.ai is funded entirely by donations. Every dollar keeps the AI assistant and 1,700+ guides free for people in crisis.
Know someone going through a divorce? This could help them.
This definition is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Divorce laws and terminology may vary by state and jurisdiction.
Always consult a licensed attorney in your area for advice specific to your situation.