Marriage Marriage Laws and Legalities 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the legal process called when a marriage is declared to have never legally existed?
- Divorce
- Separation
- Annulment (Correct answer)
- Dissolution
Correct answer: Annulment
An annulment is a legal declaration that a marriage was never valid, treating it as if it never occurred.
Question 2: What is a 'no-fault' divorce?
- A divorce caused by infidelity
- A divorce where neither spouse must prove wrongdoing (Correct answer)
- A divorce that protects one spouse from liability
- A divorce finalized without a lawyer
Correct answer: A divorce where neither spouse must prove wrongdoing
A no-fault divorce allows a couple to end their marriage without either spouse having to prove the other did something wrong, citing irreconcilable differences.
Question 3: What does 'legal separation' mean in the context of US marriage law?
- The couple gets divorced
- The couple lives apart but remains legally married (Correct answer)
- One spouse leaves the state
- The marriage is annulled
Correct answer: The couple lives apart but remains legally married
Legal separation allows spouses to live apart and divide finances while remaining legally married, often used when divorce conflicts with religious or personal beliefs.
Question 4: Which of the following is NOT typically required on a marriage license application in the US?
- Full legal names
- Current address
- Medical history (Correct answer)
- Date of birth
Correct answer: Medical history
Marriage license applications in the US typically require names, addresses, and dates of birth, but not medical histories.
Question 5: What year did the US Supreme Court legalize same-sex marriage nationwide?
- 2010
- 2013
- 2015 (Correct answer)
- 2018
Correct answer: 2015
The Supreme Court's ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015 legalized same-sex marriage in all 50 US states.
Question 6: How long do couples typically have to use a marriage license after it is issued?
- 7 days
- 30–90 days depending on state (Correct answer)
- 6 months
- 1 year
Correct answer: 30–90 days depending on state
Marriage licenses typically expire within 30 to 90 days of issuance, varying by state, so couples must marry before the license expires.
Marriage Marriage Laws and Legalities 2
What is the legal process called when a marriage is declared to have never legally existed?