Legal Definitions - marital status

Marital Status

Marital status refers to an individual's current legal standing regarding their relationship with a spouse. It describes whether a person is legally recognized as single (never married), married, legally separated, divorced, or widowed.

Here are some examples illustrating how marital status applies:

• Example 1: Housing Application

  When applying to rent an apartment, Sarah encounters a section on the application form asking for her marital status. She indicates "Single" because she has never been married. This information might be collected for demographic purposes or to understand household composition, though landlords are generally prohibited from discriminating against applicants based on their marital status under fair housing laws.

  This example illustrates how marital status is a piece of personal information that individuals are often asked to disclose in various administrative contexts, and how it can be subject to legal protections against discrimination.

• Example 2: Insurance Policies

  Mark and Emily decide to purchase a new car insurance policy. The insurance company asks for their marital status because married couples often qualify for different rates or can be included on a joint policy, potentially leading to discounts or specific coverage options compared to individuals who are single or divorced.

  This demonstrates how marital status can influence eligibility for certain financial products or services, impacting rates, benefits, and the structure of agreements like insurance policies.

• Example 3: Estate Planning

  After her husband passed away, Maria updated her will and estate plan. Her new marital status as "widowed" meant that certain provisions in her previous will regarding her spouse were no longer applicable, and she needed to designate new beneficiaries and executors, reflecting her changed legal relationship status.

  This example shows how marital status can significantly impact an individual's legal rights and responsibilities concerning property, inheritance, and estate planning, with different statuses carrying distinct legal implications for asset distribution and beneficiary designations.