Marriage Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Marriage facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. What is a 'honeymoon fund' in modern American wedding culture? → A registry option where guests contribute money toward the couple's honeymoon trip
2. Which of the following happens when a spouse refuses to communicate? → Stonewalling
3. What is 'palimony' in US law? → Financial support paid to an unmarried partner after a breakup
4. What is 'contempt' in Gottman's Four Horsemen framework? → Treating a partner with disrespect, mockery, or a sense of superiority
5. To which of these might a marriage be sabotaged? → Divorce
6. What is the traditional meaning of 'something borrowed' in the wedding saying? → Good luck from a happily married person
7. What is the minimum age to marry in most US states without parental consent? → 18
8. In marriages without love, what drives contempt? → Negative thinking
9. Which conflict resolution strategy focuses on identifying the underlying needs behind each partner's stated demands? → Interest-based negotiation
10. Which of these cannot cause a marriage to be destroyed? → Marriage Counseling
11. Which federal law recognizes marriage for immigration and benefit purposes in the US? → The Respect for Marriage Act (2022)
12. What does Gottman's research say about the percentage of marital conflicts that are never fully resolved? → About 69%
13. What is a 'joint account' in the context of married couples' finances? → A shared bank account that both partners can access and contribute to
14. What does RSVP stand for on a wedding invitation? → Répondez S'il Vous Plaît (Please Respond)
15. What is required for a marriage to be legally valid in the US beyond having a license? → An officiant authorized to perform marriages
16. Which of these self-defense techniques is used in loveless marriages to defend oneself from perceived attacks? → Defensiveness
17. According to marriage researcher John Gottman, what ratio of positive to negative interactions predicts a stable marriage? → 5:1
18. What is 'active listening' in the context of marital conflict resolution? → Giving full attention to your partner and demonstrating genuine understanding
19. Why is the 'silent treatment' considered harmful in a marriage? → It is a form of contempt and emotional withdrawal that damages trust
20. In the US, what does 'spousal privilege' refer to in a legal context? → The right to refuse to testify against a spouse in court
21. What is a common-law marriage? → A marriage recognized without a formal ceremony or license after cohabitation
22. What is an 'Imago Relationship Therapy' session based on? → The idea that adult relationships mirror childhood wounds that need healing
23. What does it mean when a therapist describes a couple as 'co-regulated'? → They are able to calm each other's emotional states through their interaction
24. Who traditionally pays for the wedding in American wedding custom? → Traditionally the bride's family, though modern couples often split costs
25. What is an 'I-statement' in marital communication? → A statement expressing your own feelings and needs without blaming
26. What is the primary remedy for a marriage that has been sabotaged? → Recognition of sabotage in a relationship
27. What is the name for the act of publicly disapproving of marital flaws? → Criticism
28. What is a 'QDRO' in the context of divorce and marital finances? → A legal order that divides a retirement account between divorcing spouses
29. What is the Gottman 'XYZ formula' for expressing complaints in a marriage? → 'When you do X in situation Y, I feel Z'
30. What is the financial significance of a spouse's credit score after marriage? → Each spouse retains their own credit score, but joint accounts affect both