diriment impediment

noun

Law.

1. a fact or circumstance that renders a marriage void from the beginning.

Example Sentences

Caius is going to the altar to be married; Claudius knows of a diriment impediment to the marriage, but cannot make it known without causing a scene and giving great scandal.

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The instruments used to render its strict theory ineffective are "diriment impediments" and "dispensations."

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Example: In itself, it is not unlawful to make an informal will, but it is unlawful to marry with a diriment impediment.

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Example: One may not contract marriage with a diriment impediment, on the plea that the Church would not wish the impediments to oblige under the serious inconvenience that exists in one's case.

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When an Impediment Is Discovered after Marriage.—A diriment impediment or other invalidating defect is sometimes discovered after the celebration of marriage.

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