Impediments To Marriage.—A marriage cannot be concluded between relatives by blood in the direct line nor between brothers and sisters of full blood or half blood, nor between persons one of whom has had sexual intercourse with the parents, grandparents or descendants of the other.
Persons in the military service, aliens and officials who by the law require special permission to become married cannot conclude a marriage without permission.
Form of Marriage.—A marriage is concluded by the parties appearing together and declaring before a registrar, in the presence of two witnesses, their intention to become husband and wife.
Voidable Marriages.—A marriage may be avoided by a spouse who has been induced to enter the marriage status by fraud concerning such facts as would have deterred him or her from concluding the marriage had he or she been acquainted with the actual state of affairs. A marriage cannot be avoided on the ground of fraud or misrepresentation as to the pecuniary means of either party.
Husband and Wife.—The parties are mutually bound to live in conjugal community. The right to decide in all matters affecting the common conjugal life belongs to the husband. However, if the decision of the husband on these matters is an abuse and not a reasonable exercise of his right the wife is not bound to accept his decision.
Property.—A wife has absolute power to deal with her separate property as if she were a single woman. A wife’s separate property includes also that which she has acquired by her industry or in the course of a separate business conducted by her. It is presumed in favour of the husband’s creditors that all chattels which are in the possession of either husband or wife, or in their joint possession, belong to the husband. In regard to articles intended exclusively for the personal use of the wife, such as clothing, ornaments and working implements, it is presumed that as between the spouses and the creditors of either that the articles are the property of the wife.
Matrimonial Contracts.—Both spouses may regulate their property relation by a contract made before or after the marriage.
Divorce.—Grounds or Causes. Either spouse may petition for divorce on the following grounds:
A. Adultery of the other spouse;
B. An attempt by one spouse to kill the other;