Types

• The Act differentiates between the types of separations. Divorces may be petitioned for by either party and represent an irretrievably broken-down marriage; divorces may not occur before the end of the first year of marriage. Nullity is when the marriage is voided on legal grounds regardless of the participant's opinion, such as if one of the participants was not of marriageable age or if either party was already married at the time of the new marriage.
  
  

Considerations

• The Act includes several points about children and financial consideration of the parties with regards to the care of children, including individuals having to submit their finances to the court. In the United Kingdom, the court ultimately makes a decision with regard to alimony payments.
  
  

History

• The Act was originally passed by Parliament on May 23, 1973. Because of the extensive nature of the Act, it amended several previous acts, including the Maintenance Orders Act of 1950 and Matrimonial Proceedings (Magistrates' Courts) Act of 1960.