Marriage & Relationships

Whether you're committed to cohabitation or heading for the altar, make sure you know what's in store for you from a legal perspective. Living together, prenuptial agreements, and marriage rights and responsibilities are all covered here.

What to expect before and after marriage.

Who owns marital property and to whom can they leave it?

Learn some of the legal and practical ways that getting married changes your life.

Getting married is a big step a couple's relationship. Continue reading to make sure you meet your state's requirements.

Who keeps the engagement ring when a wedding is called off? The answer depends on where you live—and it might depend on who broke off the engagement.

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What you need to know if you're considering a prenuptial, or premarital agreement.

Whether you are considering asking your partner for a prenuptial agreement, or if you must decide whether to sign before you get married, it’s essential to understand the specifics of a prenuptial agreement, or “prenup.”

Learn about the basics of a prenuptial agreement and whether you need an attorney to create one.

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Judges will consider many different aspects of your relationship when deciding whether you have a common law marriage. Learn how these informal marriages work, where and when they're legal, and how to prove or disprove that you're in a common law marriage.

Learn what cohabitation agreements are, who needs one, the legal requirements for an enforceable cohabitation contract, and what it should include.

Here's an overview of common parentage issues that arise when parents are not married, including how to legally establish paternity, how to name your child, and what to do if the father didn't sign the birth certificate papers.

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What if you and your spouse need to live apart but aren't ready to go through the formal divorce process. Is there an agreement you can draft with your soon-to-be-ex that will help cement how you will handle financial matters and children during your separation?

Divorce isn’t the only option when you think your marriage is over. Find out if separation might be a good solution to your marital problems.

Empower Yourself: DIY Products by Nolo

Sidestep the lawyers with do-it-yourself books, documents, and software.

Use these three books to help you end a marriage as quickly and inexpensively as possible, whether you decide to hire an attorney or not.
Avoid child custody battles and save money, time, and grief.

Nolo offers hundreds of consumer-friendly, do-it-yourself legal products for all types of legal situations. Browse our full product list.

More Legal Issues

Click below to view more legal issues. Our extensive collection of legal topics ranges across different areas of practice.

Learn About Our Team

Learn About Our Team

Our editors have over 100 years of combined experience practicing law. These professionals have worked in a wide range of legal areas, from estate planning to criminal law to business formation and beyond. They’re experts at explaining complicated legal issues in easy-to-understand terms.

Learn more about the team that manages Nolo’s articles, books, and DIY tools.

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