A dissolution of marriage that completely severs the marital bond is a legal action concluding the union entirely. It restores both parties to the status of single individuals, free to remarry if they choose. For instance, following such a decree, former spouses are no longer legally bound to one another in any capacity, distinct from situations like legal separation where some aspects of the marital relationship might persist.
The finality it provides allows individuals to move forward without lingering legal or financial entanglements associated with the previous relationship. This can offer psychological closure and facilitate the establishment of new lives and relationships. Historically, achieving this status was often significantly more complex, requiring proof of fault or lengthy separation periods, but contemporary laws have increasingly streamlined the process.