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 Montana, marriage is recognized as a legal union between two people, which confers upon them certain rights, responsibilities, and obligations as defined by state law. The statutes governing marriage in Montana can be found in Title 40 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA), which covers family law. These laws outline the requirements for entering into a marriage, such as age and consent, as well as the legal effects of marriage on property rights, inheritance, and other legal matters. Couples in Montana may also enter into prenuptial or postnuptial agreements to alter or specify the terms of their marriage contract, particularly regarding the division of property and assets. While marriage is intended to be a lifelong commitment, the law provides mechanisms for dissolution through separation or divorce, which are also governed by state statutes in the MCA.