Marriage and partnerships form a core framework of family law. This lecture begins by outlining the formal requirements for a valid marriage, typically including a marriage license, compliance with minimum age rules, and a ceremony solemnized by an authorized official. Couples must meet statutory prerequisites, such as neither party being currently married and both having the capacity to consent. Certain prohibited relationships based on consanguinity also apply. When all conditions are satisfied—license issuance, solemnization, and record filing—the marriage is fully recognized under state law.
Another pathway is common-law marriage, still permitted in a handful of jurisdictions. Rather than requiring an official ceremony, it hinges on the couple cohabiting, holding themselves out as spouses, and intending to be married. If the couple fulfills these elements in a state that allows common-law marriage, they are legally spouses. This carries all rights and obligations of formal marriage, meaning a divorce is required to terminate the relationship. If they relocate to a state that does not permit new common-law marriages, that new state typically still respects a validly formed common-law marriage from another jurisdiction.
Prenuptial and postnuptial agreements come next. These contracts define how spouses will handle property and support obligations if the union ends. For prenuptials, the couple negotiates and signs the agreement before marrying; for postnuptials, they are already wed. In either scenario, courts demand that each spouse (or future spouse) voluntarily sign with full disclosure of assets and no undue pressure. The content must not be unconscionable, nor can it predetermine child custody or child support in ways that contravene the child’s best interest. While a prenuptial is forged prior to vows, a postnuptial often arises when circumstances shift after marriage, but both share the theme of clarifying financial rights and responsibilities outside the default laws on property division and spousal maintenance.
Finally, domestic partnerships serve as another legal status in certain states, offering a subset of marital privileges without requiring a full marriage. Originally popular among same-sex couples pre-marriage equality, they also appear among opposite-sex or older couples seeking limited legal benefits without a full spousal framework. The rights conferred vary widely by state or municipality. Some domestic partnerships provide hospital visitation rights or health insurance benefits akin to marriage, while others merely recognize a partnership for local employment perks. Interstate recognition is inconsistent, meaning relocating partners risk losing this legal standing unless the receiving state or jurisdiction extends comity. Because domestic partnership laws are not uniform, couples relying on them may face challenges in property disputes or if they attempt to enforce partnership-based entitlements elsewhere.
In summary, family law’s approach to marriage and alternative partnerships reflects a balance between statutory order and societal diversity. A couple can proceed through the traditional licensing and ceremony route, rely on state recognition of common-law principles, or register a domestic partnership where available. Meanwhile, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements give spouses control over finances if the relationship dissolves, provided they are entered knowingly, fairly, and without coercion. Together, these paths illustrate the evolving matrix of legal options individuals have for formalizing their relationships.
