What doctrine provides equitable relief for a party in a voidable marriage?

The putative marriage doctrine serves as a form of equitable relief for a party involved in a voidable marriage. This doctrine applies when one party enters into a marriage that is not legally valid due to certain defects, such as a lack of capacity, fraud, or a previous undissolved marriage. The putative spouse— one who believes in good faith that the marriage is valid— may be granted certain rights, such as spousal support or property rights, despite the marriage's invalidity. This concept recognizes the significant reliance and expectations that arise from the marriage, protecting the interests of the party who acted in good faith.

The other choices do not provide the same specific legal remedy related to a voidable marriage. Common law marriage pertains to relationships that can be recognized as valid marriages despite not being formally solemnized, which doesn't directly address the issue of voidable marriages. The marital misconduct doctrine typically relates to grounds for divorce or separation, but it does not create equitable relief for a marriage deemed voidable. The equitable distribution principle concerns the fair division of marital property upon divorce but does not specifically address the status or validity of the marriage itself.