Quick Facts on Marriage Laws

Quick Facts on Marriage Laws Marriage laws vary in each state. However, there are also federal marriage laws which have been enacted by some states. For example, some states have enacted the Defense of Marriage Act. DOMA defines marriage as a union between one man and one woman, effectively banning marriage between same sex couples. However, some states do allow marriage between same sex couples.

The laws on marriage also vary in the rights granted to married couples. For example, some states may not allow married couples to automatically inherit property in the absence of a will, but most do. There are in fact hundreds of marriage rights and most of them are universal across the United States.

However, some states have strict rules and guidelines on whom may marry. For example, in some states, distant cousins may marry and in other states, first cousins may marry. Each jurisdiction has specific stipulations on which couples may obtain the rights and responsibilities conferred upon marriage.

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