annulment
Voiding of a marital contract
voidable marriage
Marital union treated as valid by the law until terminated at the option of one or both parties due to improper grounds
void marriage
Marital union with no legal effect whatsoever
bigamist
Person who is married to two or more people at the same time
divorce
Court action terminating a marriage
no-fault divorce
Divorce procedure in which no cause need be shown for termination of the union
separation
Generally the first step towards divorce
child custody
Care and control of a minor
adoption
Legal process that creates a parent-child relationship
marriage
Legal union of a man and a woman as husband and wife
common-law marriage
Marital relationship legalized by a couple holding themselves out as husband and wife, sharing home and property for an extended period
child support
Money paid by parent to provide child with economic maintenance
marital consortium
Mutual obligations of husband and wife undertaken to fulfill the purposes of their union
prenuptial agreement
Legal contract resolving property and other claims that might result from a marriage
dissolution
Term in some states for the ending of a marriage