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 Alabama, marriage is recognized as a legal union between two individuals, which establishes rights and obligations between them as defined by state law. The Alabama Code contains provisions that govern marriage, including the requirements for entering into a marriage, such as age and capacity, as well as the procedures for obtaining a marriage license. Couples in Alabama may also enter into prenuptial or postnuptial agreements to alter or specify the terms of their marriage contract, particularly regarding property and financial matters. While marriage is intended to be a lifelong commitment, it can be dissolved through legal separation or divorce, which is also regulated by state statutes. Divorce laws in Alabama address issues such as alimony, property division, and child custody and support.