During their marriage ceremony, many people vow to love, honor, and obey each other for better or worse. What if “worse” is all that is left? Illness and accidents can cripple, brain damage, or otherwise utterly change the person to whom you made those promises. Must you stay married to them? No. The law does not forbid divorce under those circumstances. If the injured or ill spouse is not at fault for the break-up of the marriage, however, the law will look to you for his or her financial support. You can be required to pay up to one-third of your net income for the rest of his or her life.