A legal dissolution of marriage, terminating all marital rights and responsibilities, is often referred to as a final and complete ending to the union. This action restores both parties to the status of single individuals, legally free to remarry. For example, once a court grants this type of decree, the former spouses are no longer legally connected as husband and wife.
The significance of this complete marital termination lies in its definitive nature. It offers a clean break, allowing individuals to move forward without legal entanglements related to their prior marriage. Historically, obtaining this form of marital dissolution was often more complex and less accessible than other forms of separation; however, it now represents the standard outcome of divorce proceedings in many jurisdictions, providing clarity and closure for those involved.