Chapter 1-6: Introduction to Marriage and Cohabitation (VOCABULARY Flashcards)

Roll call and pace notes: the lecture starts with an invitation to slow down if students need time to take notes.
Chapter focus: Chapter 1 introduces marriage and cohabitation, the state’s interest in marriage, and the evolution from English common law to modern legal frameworks.
Core idea: marriage is a relationship between individuals but is regulated by the state because stable families contribute to a stable society (less domestic violence, stable upbringing for children, better home environments, etc.). The state also sets eligibility, rights, and obligations, and governs divorce rules and custody considerations.
Key terms to memorize: personal property, real property, community property, the Married Woman’s Property Act, common law marriage, incest, bigamy, age of capacity, age of consent, emancipation.
Case law anchors: Loving v. Virginia (1967) struck down interracial marriage bans; Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) recognized same-sex marriage nationwide.
Practical processes covered: how to obtain a marriage license in Cameron County, Texas (steps, waiting period, fees, validity), and the concept of common-law marriage (elements and evidence).
Scope also includes notes on guardianship and how the court can influence family law outcomes when someone is incapacitated, including guardianship considerations and the role of next of kin.
Page references given for the textbook content: Chapter 1 pages 2–3 for terminology, page 5, 13, 14, 19 for terminology and key concepts.
The lecture closes with a reminder that the material is designed to prepare for a quiz and that students should consult a family law attorney if they have potential legal concerns.

Roll call and pace notes: the lecture starts with an invitation to slow down if students need time to take notes.
Chapter focus: Chapter 1 introduces marriage and cohabitation, the state
Core idea: marriage is a relationship between individuals but is regulated by the state because stable families contribute to a stable society (less domestic violence, stable upbringing for children, better home environments, etc.). The state also sets eligibility, rights, and obligations, and governs divorce rules and custody considerations.
Key terms to memorize: personal property, real property, community property, the Married Woman
Case law anchors: Loving v. Virginia (1967) struck down interracial marriage bans; Obergefell v. Hodges (2015) recognized same-sex marriage nationwide.
Practical processes covered: how to obtain a marriage license in Cameron County, Texas (steps, waiting period, fees, validity), and the concept of common-law marriage (elements and evidence).
Scope also includes notes on guardianship and how the court can influence family law outcomes when someone is incapacitated, including guardianship considerations and the role of next of kin.
Page references given for the textbook content: Chapter 1 pages 2
The lecture closes with a reminder that the material is designed to prepare for a quiz and that students should consult a family law attorney if they have potential legal concerns.