The process involves a single party initiating legal proceedings to terminate a marriage. This action occurs when one spouse wishes to end the marital union and files the necessary documentation with the court, without the agreement or cooperation of the other spouse. A typical scenario would be where one spouse desires a divorce but the other is unwilling to participate or cannot be located.
Such a process allows for the dissolution of a marriage even in situations of disagreement, abandonment, or other circumstances where mutual consent is unattainable. Historically, obtaining a divorce often required both parties’ agreement. This avenue provides a legal remedy where one spouse is effectively prevented from moving forward due to the other’s inaction or opposition. This promotes individual autonomy and provides a mechanism for individuals to exit a marriage that has irretrievably broken down, regardless of the other partys wishes.
