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Family Law Research: Marriage & Divorce

Marriage Defined

The legal union of a couple as spouses. The essentials of a valid marriage are:
(1) parties legally capable of contracting to marry,
(2) mutual consent or agreement, and
(3) an actual contracting in the form prescribed by law.
MARRIAGE, Black's Law Dictionary (9th ed. 2009). 

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Marriage Rates in the US

Divorce Defined

The legal dissolution of a marriage by a court.  DIVORCE, Black's Law Dictionary (9th ed. 2009).

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Divorce Rates in the US