Marriage is a legal status that requires a legal process to end. Divorce is the judicial dissolution of a valid marriage, restoring the parties to unmarried status and resolving related issues of property, support, and children.

Modern systems often allow no-fault divorce based on irretrievable breakdown or separation for a statutory period. Fault grounds still exist in some places. Courts divide marital property, determine spousal support when appropriate, and enter custody and child-support orders according to statutory standards.

Uncontested divorces can proceed largely on paperwork; contested cases may involve discovery, valuation experts, and trial. The final decree ends the marriage and sets ongoing obligations. Compliance and enforcement mechanisms address later violations of support or custody terms.

• Legal termination of a marriage
• Resolves property, support, and parenting issues
• May be fault-based or no-fault
• Concludes with a binding court decree