Full Set Flashcards
TERMINATION methods
Annulment (“declaration of invalidity”) • death • divorce
Void Marriage
no court needed, one of requirements missing (bigamy w/ good faith exception & defenses Enoch Arden, Last in Time • incest • mental capacity)
Voidable Marriage
needs judicial decree (age, can be nullified by aging • impotency @ time of ceremony w/o knowledge, SOL 1yr • intoxication • fraud • sham)
Annulment effects
children are marital
maybe entitled to some spousal support
some equitable distribution of property
Annulment defenses
unclean hands
laches
estoppel
Putative marriage doctrine applies in IL, what is it?
good faith belief entered into valid marriage
courts will protect innocence
NO FAULT DIVORCE
- “irretrievably broken” (2yr separation, reduce to 6mo. w/ writing
- failed reconciliation
- not best interest to keep trying
COMMUNITY PROPERTY JURISDICTION VS. EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION JURISDICTION
COMMUNITY PROPERTY – held jointly & equally divided by court
CL EQUITABLE DISTRIBUTION – “fair” and “equitable” guided by contribution and need
Special Assets - PROFESSIONAL LICENSES & EDU
Not in IL or the majority of states
Special Assets -RETIREMENT & PENSION
Yes, if earned during M.
Special Assets - PERSONAL INJURY CLAIMS
Not necessarily in IL. In the minority, yes if CoA occured during M.
Special Assets - Goodwill
Not in IL. Yes in the majority
Special Assets -SICK & VACATION DAYS
No, unless paid out in certain (also no in majority).
Special Assets - FUTURE INTEREST
No
Special Assets - Social Security
No
Special Assets - POST-SEPARATION PROPERTY
sometimes because bright line is the divorce not the separation.
Special Assets - Stock options
yes, if acquired during M
FAULT DIVORCE
Adultery (opportunity & inclination)
cruelty
1yr intentional desertion w/ defense of spouse staying behind
2yrs habitual drug use
bigamy
imprisonment
STD transmission
impotency
attempted murder of spouse
DIVORCE DEFENSES
Connivance (spouse consented to wrongdoing)
knowledgeable forgiveness w/ resumed sex, not available if “forgive-able” act after filing
collusion
insanity
consent to marital misconduct
religion
COMMON-LAW DIVORCE, FINALIZING DIVORCE, MEDIATION
CL Divorce – 1. legally married and entitled to support, 2. no remarriage
There’s an interlocutory finalization period.
MARITAL OR NON-MARITAL
MARITAL – acquired during the marriage • title immaterial
NON-MARITAL – acquired before • excluded by valid agreement • gift, legacy, decent • property sold before the final separation • after divorce • PI w/ COA prior to marriage • judge awarded from one spouse to other • increased value of separate property • income from NMP