What is family law?

Family law addresses the rules, regulations and court processes involving the family unit, according to an article on FindLaw. As such, family law deals with marriage, divorce, property obligations, paternity, and child custody and support. It also handles adoption, guardianship, domestic partnerships, foster care, emancipation and reproductive rights.

Family law developed from common law principles, and family law cases are decided by the states, often through statutes and regulations. State law determines, for example, the minimum age for marriage, the rights and obligations in the marital relationship, the effect of marriage on property, and grounds and procedures for divorce, notes the Free Legal Encyclopedia.