Marriage Law Overview
Marriage often serves as the most important relationship in a person's life. In addition to any notion of companionship, a marriage is a legal relationship. The rules around what a given state requires in order to recognize a marriage, as well as what should happen if the marriage goes wrong, can vary in large and small details. Below you can find helpful resources on legal questions often asked about marriage, who owns what when two people marry, and whether a prenuptial agreement is right for you. You can also find basic information on state by state marriage license requirements.
- Marriage FAQs
Marriage is more than just the promise of spending the rest of your life with someone you love. It is also a legal arrangement. Find the answers to your questions about marriage law.
- Marriage License Requirements
The marriage license is the first step toward getting married from a legal perspective. Find out why marriage licenses are important, and the requirements that couples in different states must meet before obtaining one.
- Marriage License Information by State
Every state has slightly different requirements for obtaining a marriage license. Scroll through this handy collection of state laws to find out what you need to do before going to get a marriage license.
- Legal Requirements for Marriage
As you plan your wedding, be sure to read up on all the legal requirements for marriage. That way, when the wedding is over, you’ll know you tied the knot properly. Here are some frequently asked questions to get you started.
- Who Owns What Marital Property?
Once you enter into a marriage, do you share everything with your spouse? Or are some things still legally “yours”? This article explains the different types of marital property arrangements.
- Can a Prenuptial Agreement Help You?
Prenuptial agreements aren't useful to everyone. Find out whether a prenuptial agreement could be helpful to you by clearly defining property rights before you enter into marriage.