ABSTRACT
In the eyes of the law, marriage is a complex status that entails a wide array of rights and responsibilities. The termination of this legal status occurs either on the death of a spouse, or on the entry of a court order of divorce or marriage dissolution. Beyond the power to terminate the couple’s marriage relationship, divorce courts also have the authority to address other legal issues that typically arise at this time of family transition. The additional issues include spousal maintenance or alimony, division of marital assets, child support, and child custody.
