The validity of a marriage can depend on various factors, which can vary depending on the jurisdiction.
Factors that Can Make a Marriage Valid-
*Legal capacity: Both parties must have the legal capacity to marry, meaning they must be of a certain age, not already married, and mentally competent.
*Consent: Both parties must give their free and informed consent to the marriage.
*Formalities: The marriage must be performed in accordance with the formalities required by the jurisdiction, such as obtaining a marriage license and having the ceremony performed by a authorized officiant.
Factors that Can Make a Marriage Invalid-
*Bigamy: If one or both parties are already married to someone else, the marriage is invalid.
*Underage marriage: If one or both parties are below the minimum age for marriage in the jurisdiction, the marriage may be invalid.
*Lack of consent: If one or both parties did not give their free and informed consent to the marriage, the marriage may be invalid.
Mental incapacity: If one or both parties lacked the mental capacity to understand the nature and consequences of the marriage, the marriage may be invalid.
*Fraud or duress: If one party was coerced or deceived into the marriage, the marriage may be invalid.Annulment vs. Divorce
*Annulment: An annulment is a court decision that declares a marriage null and void, as if it never existed.
*Divorce: A divorce is a court decision that ends a valid marriage.