Sewell, NJ Divorce Law Firms & Lawyers

What your mother signed was an agreement to be separate from bed and board but from what you said it was not a court order, or a judgement.  I don't think it will have any force or effect, and that on your father's death, your parents would still be considered legally married.  If your father died without a will, she may still be entitled to inherit a portion of his estate. 

Two things: 1) Generally, a judge will accept any terms that the parties believe are fair. 2) There are two ways a case can proceed if you don't file a Response: a) Default - this means that your wife would complete the divorce without your involvement, including attending a brief hearing in several weeks to have the judge enter the divorce based on the terms listed in the Petition; or b) Consent - this means that you and your wife both sign final divorce papers and submit them to the judge to sign and finalize the case (no hearing). Having a case go by default could affect your rights going forward; if you have reached full agreements, I would recommend submitting a Consent Decree (you can do this even if you haven't filed a Response, but you will still have to pay the filing fee for the Response)

Having a marriage annulled is more difficult because of the criteria needed to be met.  changing your mind about wanting children would not make you eligible for an annulment.  you can file for a "no fault" divorce much more easily.