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 Texas, marriage is recognized as a legal union between two people, which establishes rights and obligations between them as defined by the state's statutes, typically found in the Texas Family Code. The process of marriage in Texas requires obtaining a marriage license, waiting 72 hours after receiving the license to get married (with some exceptions), and having the marriage solemnized by a person authorized to conduct a marriage ceremony. Texas law also allows for prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, which are contracts entered into by the parties before or after the marriage ceremony, respectively, to define their personal and financial rights and obligations during the marriage and in the event of a divorce. While marriage is intended to be a lifelong commitment, it can be dissolved through legal separation or divorce proceedings, where issues such as property division, child custody, and support are addressed according to Texas law.
