| Divorce
or dissolution
The end of a marriage by court
decree. Dissolution is the term more often used in no-fault
actions. Following a divorce, John's and Mary's rights and
duties are specified from the date of the final decree.
Annulment
A court decree stating that
John and Mary never legally married because they didn't fulfill
the requirements of marriage. Perhaps John or Mary fraudulently
deceived the other.
Following an annulment, John and Mary revert to their premarital
status. They are single, have never been married.
Fault divorce
What may result if John or
Mary sues the other for divorce, claiming that the spouse
is "at fault." Note that the fault needs to be proven.
Different grounds of fault include
• -adultery
• -bigamy
• -conviction of a crime involving moral turpitude (an
act that is so vile-or base-that it contravenes basic moral
standards)
• -cruelty (mental or physical)
• -desertion or abandonment
• -habitual drunkenness
• -insanity
• -nonsupport
Contested divorce
If John and Mary cannot agree
on the terms of their divorce. Their case will be argued,
or contested, in court.
Uncontested or default divorce: When John and Mary agree on
the terms or one of them does not appear in court. The court
finalizes the agreement or default.
No-fault divorce or dissolution
A divorce that is decreed in
a state with no-fault divorces. In this type of divorce couples
may be able to meet the standards of proof easily. A marriage
can be ended for the following reasons, or grounds:
-irreconcilable differences that have led to an irretrievable
breakdown of the marriage (John and Mary cannot get along).
-separation for a specified time.
Quickie divorce
What occurs if John or Mary
goes to a state or country with a short residency requirement
for divorce for the purpose of obtaining the divorce.
This kind of divorce dissolves the marriage only. It cannot
deal with custody or property issues, because that state or
country has no jurisdiction over those issues.
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