Divorce, separation and annulment

As the divorce debate rages on, Nikki Abela Mercieca hit the streets to establish if people understand the basic terminology and the difference between annulment, separation and divorce.

Karmenu Galea, 52, of Fgura

Divorce means your wife is not recognised as your wife anymore. Annulment means the marriage never existed and separation is when both parties go different ways and the situation is decided through court.

Italo Mizzi, 20, of Ħamrun and Chantelle Galea, 18, of Naxxar

With divorce you can remarry and with separation you can’t. With annulment you can remarry in Church.

Carmel Zammit, 68, of Żebbuġ

I don’t really understand or, rather, I’m not really interested. But I don’t agree with divorce. The difference between divorce and annulment is that one is through the Church and the other through the court. With annulment you can remarry but with divorce you still have many problems.

Martha Azzoppardi, 21, of Naxxar

Divorce is when you separate from your partner and everything is final in terms of documentation. Annulment I’d assume is the annulment of all the papers soon after the marriage and separation is when you’re not divorced as such but there’s still some link between the two.

Matthew Fenech Farrugia, 18, of Buġibba with Dario Galea, 21, of Dingli

Divorce is by law, separation is when a couple is married and then splits but we don’t know what annulment is.

Maria Vella, 45, of Buġibba and Yanika Portelli, 18, also of Buġibba

Separation is when you are not living with your husband. Annulment means the marriage never happened and divorce is when you can marry another person.

Fr Ivan Sant, 32, of Birkirkara

Divorce separates husband from wife. Annulment says the marriage never existed and separation is the same as divorce but divorce is more official.

Natasha Galea, 34, of Tarxien

Divorce dissolves marriage between husband and wife. Separation is via the courts and God only knows when you will get it and annulment is through the Church.

Julie Balzan, 67, of Valletta

I had a happy marriage and am now a widow. The problem with cohabitation is that it is not allowed by the Church and it is up to them if those living in such a state choose to live in sin. I lately heard someone explain the difference between divorce, annulment and separation on television. With annulment, people can get re-married in Church. Separation can be authorised by the courts but I know nothing about divorce. I heard that when it was introduced in countries it was a disaster for families. However, having said that, there are families which have broken down here.

Lorraine Attard, 40, of Swieqi

Separation is when two people will have separated but still deal with each other, in terms of property. Divorce is when they don’t have anything to do with one another and annulment is when the marriage never happened.