A legal dissolution of marriage is possible following a defined period where spouses have lived apart. In several jurisdictions, this predefined duration is two years. Meeting this requirement is grounds for legally ending the marital union. For instance, if a couple resides in separate residences, does not cohabitate as husband and wife, and maintains this arrangement for the stated period, they can apply for the formal termination of their marriage.
The advantage of this process lies in its relative simplicity, potentially bypassing the need to establish fault. This can minimize conflict and reduce the emotional and financial strain often associated with adversarial divorce proceedings. Historically, requiring a period of living apart acknowledged that some marriages irrevocably break down without either party necessarily being at fault. This shift recognized that maintaining a legal union when the emotional bond has ceased serves little purpose and can be detrimental to both individuals’ well-being.
