1. The marriage ceremony
2. Capacity to marry and nullity
3. The legal consequences of marriage 4. Introduction: entitlement to family assets
5. Beneficial entitlement at law and in equity
6. Statutory reforms relating to family property
7. State support for families
8. Devolution of family property on death
9. Reform of family property law : the future 10. Protection : from violence and harrassment
11. Ending marriage : divorce
12. Separation orders
13. Termination of marriage by death
14. Financial consequences of marital breakdown
15. Child support
16. Enforcement of financial obligations
17. Children
18. Parents
19. Court proceedings
20. Exercise of the court's discretion : the welfare principle
21. Child abduction
22. Local authorities
23. Adoption.