Family Law Glossary Notes

Resource Description

Family Law Glossary

Marriage – The union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered
into for life

De facto relationship -A relationship where the partners act as a married couple but are not legally married

Blended family – A family that is created when a parent remarries; it includes the stepmother or stepfather and stepchildren

Extended family – A family that includes individuals related through marriage or parentage and not limited to one couple and their
children; in some cultures, close family friends are regarded as members of the extended family

Referral of powers – The giving up of a state’s legislative powers in a certain area to the Commonwealth by passing an Act, pursuant to s 51(xxxvii) of the Australian Constitution