legal spouse
Married by law
A legal spouse is a person to whom one is formally married under the law, as distinguished from a domestic partner, common-law spouse, or romantic partner without legal recognition.
The term appears in legal documents, insurance policies, and government forms where marital status determines rights or benefits: Only legal spouses qualify for survivor benefits.
- husbandMarried man's role
- wifeFemale marriage partner
- better halfEndearing term for partner
- married coupleTwo joined in matrimony
- marriageFormal union between partners
lawfully wedded · civil union · common law · wedding · walk down the aisle · vows · till death do us part · ring · wedding band · bride · groom · matrimony · union · certificate · marriage license · nuptials · anniversary · conjugal
- marriagebride, groom, wedding, husband, wife
- marriage lawmarriage contract, divorce decree, marriage certificate, matrimony, divorce petition
legal spousedomestic partner
Committed unmarried cohabitant
cohabitant · live-in partner · significant other · boyfriend · girlfriend
legal spousemistress
Illicit female lover
paramour · affair partner · side piece · the other woman · secret lover
legal spouseex-spouse
Divorced husband or wife
ex-wife · ex-husband · former spouse · stranger · single person
legal, legally, legality, legalize, legalized, legalization, illegal, illegally, illegality