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 Kansas, marriage is recognized as a legal union between two individuals, which is intended to merge their lives both legally and culturally. The rights and obligations of the married parties are primarily governed by Kansas state statutes, which can be found in the Kansas Statutes Annotated (K.S.A.), particularly within the family law provisions. These statutes outline the legal requirements for entering into a marriage, such as age, consent, and licensing, as well as the grounds and procedures for separation and divorce. While marriage is intended to be a lifelong commitment, Kansas law provides mechanisms for dissolution of marriage through divorce or annulment, addressing issues such as property division, spousal support, and child custody. Parties entering into marriage in Kansas also have the option to create prenuptial or postnuptial agreements, which can alter the default legal rights and obligations set by the state, provided these agreements meet certain legal standards for enforceability.