Refusal to endorse a divorce settlement agreement does not automatically prevent the dissolution of a marriage. While mutual consent simplifies the process, legal systems generally provide avenues for obtaining a divorce even when one party is unwilling to participate or explicitly refuses to sign the required documents. The specific procedures and timelines vary based on jurisdiction.
The legal framework surrounding divorce aims to balance the individual’s right to end a marriage with the need for fairness and due process. Historically, divorce was often significantly more difficult to obtain, especially for women. Modern divorce laws recognize that requiring perpetual agreement would essentially grant one party veto power over the other’s ability to move forward, potentially leading to inequitable outcomes.