Definition

1. Noun:
   • The legal termination of a marriage: "Dissolution of marriage" refers to the formal, legal process that ends a marital union. It is the official act of dissolving the bonds of matrimony by a court of law or other competent authority.
   • An annulment of a marriage: In specific legal contexts, it can refer to an annulment, which is a legal procedure that declares a marriage null and void, as if it never legally existed.

Usage

• "Dissolution of marriage" is a formal, legal term. It is commonly used in legal documents, court proceedings, and official discussions about ending a marriage.
• It is often synonymous with "divorce" in general usage, though it can be a broader term encompassing both divorce and annulment.
• The phrase is typically used as a singular noun phrase.

Examples

• The couple filed for a dissolution of marriage after ten years together.
• The court granted the dissolution of marriage last month.
• Legal grounds for dissolution of marriage vary from state to state.

Advanced Usage

• "Petition for dissolution of marriage": The formal legal document filed with a court to initiate the process of ending a marriage.
  • She hired a lawyer to help her file the petition for dissolution of marriage.
• "Decree of dissolution of marriage": The final court order that legally ends the marriage.
  • The judge issued the final decree of dissolution of marriage yesterday.

Variants and Related Words

• Dissolution (n): The act or process of formally ending or terminating something. In a legal context, it is the core component of the phrase.
  • The dissolution of the partnership was amicable.
• Marital dissolution (n): A synonym for "dissolution of marriage," emphasizing the marital context.
  • The rate of marital dissolution has remained steady.

Synonyms

• Divorce (n): The more common term for the legal dissolution of a marriage.
• Annulment (n): A legal procedure that declares a marriage null and void from its beginning.
• Legal separation (n): A court order that mandates the separation of a married couple but does not dissolve the marriage.

Related Phrases

• Grounds for dissolution: The legally acceptable reasons for ending a marriage.
  • Irreconcilable differences are common grounds for dissolution.
• Proceedings for dissolution: The court hearings and legal process involved in ending a marriage.
  • The proceedings for dissolution lasted over a year.

Noun

1. an annulment of a marriage