WifeFemale spouse; woman who is married The Merchant's Wife (1918) by Boris Kustodiev A wife (pl.: wives) is a woman in a marital relationship. A woman who has separated from her partner continues to be a wife until their marriage is legally dissolved with a divorce judgment; or until death, depending on the kind of marriage. On the death of her partner, a wife is referred to as a widow.
Family lawFamily law (also called matrimonial law or the law of domestic relations) is an area of the law that deals with family matters and domestic relations.
InheritanceInheritance is the practice of receiving private property, titles, debts, entitlements, privileges, rights, and obligations upon the death of an individual. The rules of inheritance differ among societies and have changed over time. In legal terms, succession is the process by which a deceased person's rights and property are transferred to their heirs, while inheritance is the property or assets those heirs receive.
Arranged marriageAn arranged marriage is a marriage where the spouses are selected by a third party. The third party is most commonly the spouses' parents, possibly with the aid of a marriage broker. Normally, the couple agree to the arranged marriage. However, in a forced marriage, one or both of the partners does not consent; and in a child marriage, one or both partners cannot consent because they are under 18 years old. Marriages without consent are condemned by the United Nations.
Civil marriageA civil marriage is a marriage performed, recorded, and recognized by a government official. Such a marriage may be performed by a religious body and recognized by the state, or it may be entirely secular, in which it is known as a secular marriage.Matrimonial regimeMatrimonial regimes, or marital property systems, are systems of property ownership between spouses providing for the creation or absence of a marital estate and if created, what properties are included in that estate, how and by whom it is managed, and how it will be divided and inherited at the end of the marriage.
DowryPayment by one family of a marriage to the other family Household forms and residenceExtendedMatrifocalMatrilocalNeolocalNuclearPatrilocal
MarriageHousehold forms and residenceExtendedMatrifocalMatrilocalNeolocalNuclearPatrilocal
DowerAssets reserved for a wife in case her husband dies Dower agreement (Proikosymfono) before wedding at Kastoria, Greece, (1905). Source: Folkloric Museum of Kastoria Dower is a provision accorded traditionally by a husband or his family, to a wife for her support should she become widowed. It was settled on the bride (being given into trust) by agreement at the time of the wedding, or as provided by law.
Significant otherPerson's partner in an intimate relationship A United States Marine kisses a woman described as his "significant other" before going to Afghanistan.
Bride priceHousehold forms and residenceExtendedMatrifocalMatrilocalNeolocalNuclearPatrilocal
HusbandA husband is a man involved in a marital relationship, commonly referred to as a spouse. The specific rights, responsibilities, and societal status attributed to a husband can vary significantly across different cultures and historical periods, reflecting a global perspective on this role.
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