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Marriage

Marriage—also known as matrimony or wedlock—is the legal and cultural process by which two people join their separate lives as one. The contractual rights and obligations of the parties to a marriage are generally defined by the state, as provided in the state’s statutes (often in the family code), unless otherwise agreed by the parties in a prenuptial or postnuptial agreement. Marriage is intended to last until death, but is often terminated sooner by separation or divorce.

In Tennessee, marriage is recognized as a legal and social union between two individuals. The rights and obligations of married couples are primarily governed by the Tennessee Code, particularly within the titles dealing with domestic relations and family law. These statutes outline the legal requirements for entering into a marriage, such as age restrictions, consent, and licensing, as well as the grounds and procedures for divorce and annulment. Tennessee allows for prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, which enable couples to define their own terms regarding the division of assets, alimony, and other matters in the event of a separation or divorce. While marriage is intended to be a lifelong commitment, Tennessee law provides mechanisms for dissolution of marriage through divorce proceedings, which can be initiated on various grounds including irreconcilable differences and fault-based reasons such as adultery or abandonment.

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Marriage

Individual & Family Legal Plan

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Tennessee State Code

Tennessee State Code

Marriage

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