When a woman gets married, she gains several important legal rights. Many women are unaware of these rights, so they may not be taking full advantage of the protections that marriage offers. This can lead to problems down the road if something happens in the marriage relationship. Every married woman needs to know her legal rights to protect herself and her interests.
This blog post will discuss some important legal rights every married woman should know. So, if you are a married woman or considering getting married, read on to learn more about your legal rights.
1. The Right to Choose Your Own Name
When you get married, you have the right to choose whether to change your last name or not. You do not have to take your husband’s last name, and in fact, you can keep your own last name if you prefer. If you decide to change your name, you can choose any name you want, including your maiden name, a hyphenated version of both names, or a completely new name altogether.
You can also choose to change your first name if you want, but this is a little more complicated. You will need to go through the legal process of changing your name on all your identification documents, which can be time-consuming and costly.
2. The Right to Marry Who You Want
In the past, some states had laws that prohibited interracial marriage. Thankfully, those laws have been struck down, and today you have the right to marry whoever you want, regardless of race or ethnicity. You also have the right to marry someone of the same sex, as same-sex marriage is now legal in all 50 states.
This is an important right to know, as it protects you from discrimination based on who you want to marry. No one should be able to tell you who you can and cannot marry; if someone tries to do so, they are violating your rights.
3. The Right to Matrimonial Home Ownership
Under the law, both husband and wife have an equal right to the matrimonial home. This is regardless of who purchased the property or who is listed on the mortgage. In the event of separation, each spouse has a legal right to claim half of the equity in the home.
Also, both spouses have a right to live in the home, and neither can force the other out without a court order. If one spouse does try to force the other out, the spouse can file for a restraining order.
4. The Right To Alimony
If you have been married for a significant amount of time, you may be entitled to alimony if your husband divorces you. Alimony is a form of financial support that is paid from one spouse to another after separation. The amount and duration of alimony payments can vary depending on the circumstances of each case. In some cases, alimony may be ordered for a set period, while in others, it may be ordered indefinitely.
It is important to note that not all dissolution of marriage will result in an alimony award. Alimony is typically only ordered in cases with a significant income disparity between the two spouses. If you are concerned about whether you may be entitled to alimony, you should speak to an experienced divorce law attorney.
5. The Right to Child Custody and Visitation
In the event of separation, both parents have a right to seek child custody and visitation. However, the mother is usually more likely to be awarded primary custody of the children. Fathers may be awarded joint or shared custody, but it is less common. If you are a mother who is facing a divorce, it is important to understand your custody rights, as they can help you protect your relationship with your children.
6. The Right to Child Support
If you are the primary custodial parent, you have the right to receive child support from the other parent. Child support is a form of financial support paid by one parent to another for the support of their children. The amount of child support paid can vary depending on the parent’s income and the children’s needs.
Child support payments are typically made until the child reaches the age of 18, but in some cases, they may be ordered for a longer period. If you seek child support, you should speak to an experienced family law attorney.
There you have it — six important legal rights that every married woman should know. With these rights in mind, you can better protect yourself during a legal dispute. So, don’t hesitate to seek legal counsel if you find yourself in a difficult situation.
