The following article is excerpted from West's Encyclopedia of American Law . The legal status, condition, or relationship that results from a contract by which one man and one woman, who have the capacity to enter into such an agreement, mutually promise to live together in the relationship of husband and wife in law for life, or until the legal termination of the relationship.
Marriage is a legally sanctioned contract between a man and a woman.
Entering a marriage contract changes the legal status of both parties, giving husband and wife new rights and obligations. Public policy is strongly in favor of marriage based on the belief that it preserves the family unit. Traditionally marriage has been viewed as vital to the preservation of morals and civilization. The traditional principle upon which the institution of marriage is founded is that a husband has the obligation to support a wife and a wife has the duty to serve. In the past this has meant that the husband has the duty to provide a safe house, pay for necessities such as food and clothing, and live in the house.