DIVORCE

The dissolution or legal termination of a marriage. All states require the divorcing spouse to specify a legal reason (the grounds) for requesting a divorce when papers are filed in court for the divorce. The legal separation of man and wife, effected, for cause, by the Judgment of a court, and either totally dissolving the marriage relation, or suspending its effects so far as concerns the cohabitation of the parties. The dissolution is termed “divorce from the bond of matrimony,” or, in the Latin form of the expression, “a vinculo matrimonii;” the suspension, “divorce from bed and board,” “a mensa et thoro.” The former divorce puts an end to the marriage; the latter leaves it in full force. 2 Bish. Alar. & Div. f 225. The term “divorce” is now applied, in England, both to decrees of nullity and decrees of dissolution of marriage, while in America it is used only in cases of divorce a mensa or a vinculo, a decree of nullity of marriage being granted for the causes for which a divorce a vinculo was formerly obtainable in England. Divorce a mensa et thoro. A divorce from table and bed, or from bed and board. A partial or qualified divorce, by which the parties are separated and forbidden to live or cohabit together, without affecting the marriage itself. 1 Bl. Comm. 440 ; 3 Bl. Comm. 94: 2 Steph. Comm. 311; 2 Bish. Mar. & Div. f 225; Miller v. Clark, 23 Ind. 370; Rudolph v. Rudolph (Super. Buff.) 12 N. Y. Supp. 81; Zule v. Zule, 1 N. J. Eq. 99. Divorce a vinculo matrimonii. A divorce from the bond of marriage. A total divorce of husband and wife, dissolving the marriage tie, and releasing; the parties wholly from their matrimonial obligations. 1 Bl. Comm. 440; 2 Steph. Comm. 310, 311; 2 Bish. Mar. & Div.