Dissolution of marriage is generally another term for divorce—but in some states it specifically refers to an uncontested divorce—a no fault divorce with a written separation agreement. And in California, for example, there is a summary dissolution that provides an expedited process under limited circumstances (California Family Code §2400).

The laws regarding various methods for dissolving a marriage are usually located in a state’s statutes—often in the Family Code or Domestic Relations Code.

In Kansas, dissolution of marriage is synonymous with divorce and is governed by Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.) Chapter 60, Article 16, which covers the Kansas Family Law Code. Kansas is a no-fault divorce state, meaning that a divorce can be granted without proving wrongdoing by either spouse, and the primary ground for divorce is 'incompatibility.' There is no formal legal process labeled as 'summary dissolution' in Kansas, unlike in California. Instead, Kansas allows for a simplified or uncontested divorce process if both parties agree on all issues, including property division, child custody, and support. This can expedite the proceedings, but it is not a separate category of dissolution. The process for divorce in Kansas involves filing a petition, serving the other spouse, and, if uncontested, potentially finalizing the divorce without a trial. If the divorce is contested, the process may involve mediation, settlement negotiations, and a court trial to resolve disputes.