2. Section 20.1
Marriage Laws

3. Section 20.1 Marriage Laws
Marriage is not only a personal relationship between two people. It is also a contract.

4. Section 20.1 Marriage Laws
Marriage changes a couple’s legal status and gives them certain rights and obligations.

5. Marriage rights include the right to:
Section 20.1 Marriage Laws
Marriage rights include the right to:
receive support from your spouse
file a joint tax return
inherit your deceased spouse’s property
a fair share of property if the marriage ends
compensation if the marriage ends

6. Obligations of marriage include the duty to:
Section 20.1 Marriage Laws
Obligations of marriage include the duty to:
be faithful to your spouse
not cause harm to your spouse
provide support to children from the marriage

7. The most common types of marriage are:
Section 20.1 Marriage Laws
Each state has its own laws regarding the types of marriage it will recognize.
The most common types of marriage are:
ceremonial marriage
common-law marriage

8. Section 20.1 Marriage Laws
A ceremonial marriage is a formal marriage performed in the presence of a person authorized by law to conduct marriages.

9. Section 20.1 Marriage Laws
A common-law marriage is a marriage created by agreement of the parties without a formal ceremony.
Common-law marriages are recognized only by 11 states and the District of Columbia.

10. Some marriages are prohibited by law, including:
Section 20.1 Marriage Laws
Some marriages are prohibited by law, including:
bigamy
polygamy
consanguinity

11. Bigamy is having two spouses at the same time.
Section 20.1 Marriage Laws
Bigamy is having two spouses at the same time.
Polygamy is having more than two spouses at the same time.
Consanguinity is having a spouse related by blood.

12. Section 20.1 Marriage Laws
There are several requirements necessary for a marriage to be legal, including:
age requirement
marriage license
waiting period
blood test/physical examination

13. Minors can marry only with the consent of a parent or guardian.
Section 20.1 Marriage Laws
In almost every state, one must be at least 18 years of age to legally marry.
Minors can marry only with the consent of a parent or guardian.

14. A common-law marriage does not require a marriage license.
Section 20.1 Marriage Laws
A marriage license is a certificate from a government office granting legal permission to marry.
A common-law marriage does not require a marriage license.

15. Section 20.2
Divorce and Its Legal Consequences

16. Section 20.2 Divorce and Its Legal Consequences
A divorce is a legal declaration by a court that a marriage has ended.
The process for obtaining a divorce varies from state to state.

17. Section 20.2 Divorce and Its Legal Consequences
adultery
cruelty
Grounds for divorce include:
desertion
nonsupport

18. Section 20.2 Divorce and Its Legal Consequences
Adultery is when a spouse has sexual relations with someone outside the marriage.

19. Section 20.2 Divorce and Its Legal Consequences
Cruelty is physical or mental abuse of one’s spouse that endangers the spouse’s life.
To prove cruelty usually requires more than one act.

20. Section 20.2 Divorce and Its Legal Consequences
Desertion is when a spouse leaves with no intent to return.
Nonsupport is when a spouse had the means to provide financial support but willfully failed to do so.

21. Section 20.2 Divorce and Its Legal Consequences
Most states have a no-fault divorce law.
A no-fault divorce is a divorce granted by agreement of the parties without one party proving the other party guilty of misconduct.

22. Section 20.2 Divorce and Its Legal Consequences
alimony
There are three main issues in legally settling a divorce:
division of marital property
child support and custody

23. Section 20.2 Divorce and Its Legal Consequences
Alimony is financial support paid by one spouse to the other based on his or her income and resources.

24. Section 20.2 Divorce and Its Legal Consequences
State law and judges decide how marital property will be divided.
States are either:
community property states or
non-community property states

25. Section 20.2 Divorce and Its Legal Consequences
In community property states, each spouse is entitled to one-half of the property acquired during the marriage.
In non-community property states, property is divided according to how much each spouse contributed to the marriage.

26. Section 20.2 Divorce and Its Legal Consequences
Upon divorce, each parent has a right to custody of children born during the marriage.

27. Section 20.2 Divorce and Its Legal Consequences
Legal custody is a parent’s right to make major decisions about a child’s health, education, and welfare.
Physical custody deals with which parent a child will live.

28. Section 20.2 Divorce and Its Legal Consequences
Sole custody is when one parent is granted full custody rights.
Joint custody is when both parents share custody rights of a child.

29. Section 20.2 Divorce and Its Legal Consequences
Both parents have a duty to provide child support, regardless of which parent has custody.
Child support is based on each parent’s financial capacity and needs, and the needs of the child.