The Date of Marriage refers to the day when two individuals legally formalize their union through marriage. In family law, this date is significant for several reasons:
Spousal Support:
The length of the marriage plays a key role in determining eligibility for spousal support upon separation or divorce. Longer marriages typically result in higher and longer-term spousal support payments.
Property Division:
In many jurisdictions, the Date of Marriage is the starting point for determining marital property. Any property acquired after this date is typically considered joint property and is subject to division upon separation or divorce.
Financial Calculations:
When determining financial obligations or entitlements during divorce proceedings, the Date of Marriage helps calculate the duration of the marriage, which can affect the division of pensions, savings, and other assets.
Common-Law Rights:
For common-law couples (in jurisdictions that recognize common-law relationships), the Date of Cohabitation might be more relevant than the Date of Marriage. However, for legally married couples, the Date of Marriage is used to establish the legal duration of the union.