Legal Definitions - Voidable marriage

A voidable marriage is a marriage that is considered valid until it is declared invalid. The reasons for invalidating a marriage vary depending on the state. Some common reasons for voiding a marriage include:

• One of the parties is below the age of consent
• A party was incapable of consenting to marriage due to mental incapacity or mental illness
• A party was physically incapable of entering into marriage due to impotence or venereal disease
• Fraud, force, or duress

For example, if a person was forced into a marriage against their will, the marriage may be considered voidable. Another example is if one of the parties was under the age of consent at the time of the marriage, the marriage may be considered voidable until they reach the legal age of consent.

It is important to note that a voidable marriage is different from a void marriage. A void marriage is considered invalid from the beginning, while a voidable marriage is considered valid until it is declared invalid.