What’s the difference between a dissolution of marriage, a legal separation, and an annulment?
A dissolution of marriage or “dissolution of domestic partnership” ends your marriage or domestic partnership. Rather than referring to “divorce”, California law refers to “dissolution of marriage.” However, there is no fundamental difference between what is called “divorce” in another state and what is called “dissolution of marriage” in California. Both terms refer to the process by which a marriage (or domestic partnership) between parties is terminated and their respective legal rights and obligations regarding property, child custody, and child and spousal support are determined. After a dissolution, you will be single, and you can marry or become a domestic partner again. In a dissolution, you can seek orders like child support, spousal support, partner support, custody and visitation, domestic violence restraining orders, division of property, and other orders. A legal separation does not end a marriage or domestic partnership. You can’t marry or enter into a partnership with so