An annulment is the legal determination that a marriage is void or did not exist. A divorce is the legal termination of a marriage.
Generally, grounds for an annulment include bigamy, consanguinity, failure to have a marriage license, failure to have a ceremony, age, insanity, intoxication, duress and fraud.
A limited divorce is a court governed separation and allows the aggrieved spouse to live separate and apart and receive financial support. A limited divorce is not permanent and does not allow either party to remarry. An absolute divorce terminates the marriage and property claims and permits both parties to remarry.
Alimony pendente lite is a temporary monetary allowance awarded to the economically disadvantaged spouse pending a divorce to allow him or her to maintain the status quo to prevent financial hardship pending a final resolution of the divorce proceeding.
There are various factors that the court considers when awarding alimony to include, but not limited to:
Physical custody refers to the care, control, and maintenance of the child. Legal custody refers to decision making authority.
The decision is based on a determination of what’s in the best interests of the child(ren). While there are statutory factors that the court considers, the court has discretion to determine any question concerning the welfare of the child(ren) and may consider any evidence which bears on the child’s well-being.