Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) Business Law Practice Exam

What is a legal declaration by a court that ends a valid marriage called?

1. Marriage nullification

2. Separation decree

3. Dissolution of marriage

4. Judicial termination

The correct answer is: Dissolution of marriage

The legal declaration by a court that ends a valid marriage is referred to as the dissolution of marriage. This term specifically describes the process through which a marriage is formally and legally terminated, resulting in both parties being no longer bound to one another under the law. The term encompasses various legal proceedings, such as divorce, which can include the court's decisions regarding the division of assets, custody of children, and other related matters. Understanding this concept is crucial for recognizing the formal legal process involved in ending a marriage, which differs from terms like marriage nullification or separation decree, which do not carry the same legal weight as a complete termination of the marital contract. Judicial termination is also not widely recognized as an official legal term in this context. Only "dissolution of marriage" explicitly denotes the finality and legal implications of ending a marriage through court action.