Marriage Dissolution:
Types of Marriage Dissolution
DISSOLUTION
A dissolution of marriage (formerly called divorce) ends the marital
relationship between husband and wife. Dissolutions are granted on the basis of
irretrievable breakdown of the marriage relationship. Fault is not a basis
for dissolution in Minnesota.
Both husband and wife may agree that there has
been an irretrievable breakdown of the marriage, or one spouse may state that
there has been a breakdown and the other choose not to contest it. If
contested by one spouse the court will decide the terms of the dissolution.
The basis for the decision is that there is serious marital discord and no
reasonable prospect of reconciliation exists.
LEGAL
SEPARATION
A legal separation is a court determination of the rights and responsibilities
of wife and husband arising out of the marital relationship. It does not
terminate the marital status of the couple nor the legal rights of marriage, for
example for purposes of income tax and inheritance. A legal separation is
granted when one or both parties request it. The procedure for legal
separation is the same as for marriage dissolution.
ANNULMENT
An annulment is a judgment that the marriage is null and
void. It means that there was never a marriage in the eyes of the law.
Annulments are considered only under certain circumstances such as either spouse
lacked the physical capacity to consummate the marriage (and the other was
unaware of such an incapacity) or either was under the legal age of consent (18
or 16 years old, depending on the circumstances) at the time of the marriage.
For application of the law to
your specific situation, contact your own attorney or one of the marriage
dissolution resources.
Last Updated:
Tuesday, 22-Aug-2006 15:23:31 CDT (mmp)
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