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Alimony or spousal support involves one spouse paying the other either due to a court order or the divorce agreement. Its purpose is to ensure that both parties can meet their financial needs. One spouse has to prove they were “dependent” on their spouse during the...

One spouse must file a legal petition requesting to terminate the marriage to get a divorce. The petition typically must show that at least one person meets the state’s residency requirements for divorce. Additionally, a reason or grounds for divorce must be provided....

A legal separation doesn’t end the marriage. As a result, neither spouse can legally remarry. Since the couple is still married in a legal separation, they don’t have to remarry if they change their mind about the separation. The couple simply has to submit a request...

A legal separation involves a formal decision by the married couple to live separate lives. Most states require the couple to file a request in family court. There are many reasons a couple would choose a legal separation. Sometimes it is required by the court before...

Divorce is a legal process that requires a legal reason and court judgment to end the marriage. However, some rules and paperwork may vary from state to state. For instance, a few states require a married couple to live apart and separate before filing for divorce....

The main difference between a prenuptial agreement and a postnuptial agreement is the timing of when they are made. A prenuptial agreement is made before a couple gets married, while a postnuptial agreement is made after a couple is already married. Prenuptial...

There are many different forms of marital agreements (besides a legally-binding marriage) from common law marriage to civil unions and domestic partnerships. Common Law Marriage Common law marriage, a.k.a. informal marriage or "marriage by habit and repute,” is a...

Marriage is a legally-binding relationship between two people. In the US, this means the couple now have a number of legal responsibilities and rights, including: Inheriting property from each other Making medical and financial decisions for each other Ability to open...

According to the Cornell's Law School Legal Information Institute: "Family law, also referred to as domestic relations in many states, is the broad body of law that covers marriage, divorce, child custody, adoption, domestic violence, reproductive rights, and other...