What happens if the former spouse refuses to cooperate?
The responsibility of the Tribunal is to inform the former spouse of his or her rights in a marriage nullity case. The choice to exercise those rights or not belongs with the person. In requesting a declaration of nullity, the petitioner has asked the Church a question: Is my marriage considered valid by the Church. The Church therefore is obliged to give the person an answer. The Tribunal attempts to gather as much information as possible in order to give an answer which is as well-informed as possible. But if information is not available to the Tribunal, it still must give the petitioner an answer.
