MARRIAGE REGIMES: Systems of property ownership between spouses. It provides for the terms and conditions of the marriage, reflects what properties or assets are included in the estate, how and by whom it is managed and how it will be divided and inherited at the end of the marriage.

MARRIAGES ACT (CHAPTER 5.11): An Act that governs civil marriages.

CIVIL MARRIAGE: A monogamous marriage between a man and a woman.

MARRIED PERSONS PROPERTY ACT (CHAPTER 5.12): An Act that governs the legal consequences of the property held by spouses who are married, whether in terms of a marriage in community of property or out of community of property.

CUSTOMARY MARRIAGE: A marriage negotiated, entered into, or celebrated according to any of the systems of indigenous African customary law which exist in Zimbabwe. It can either be registered or unregistered.

CUSTOMARY MARRIAGES ACT CHAPTER 5.07: A Customary Law Marriage registered through the Magistrates Court; it is a potentially polygynous marriage because it only allows a man, if he so wishes to marry more than one wife. The woman however cannot have more than one husband.

ACCRUAL: Accumulation of assets and liabilities in a marriage

ANTENUPTIAL CONTRACT: A written contract between two people who are getting married according to the Marriages Act (Chapter 5.11); that sets out the terms and conditions of the marriage with regard to its matrimonial regime, if the people wish to marry in community of property with or without accrual. People wishing to conclude an antenuptial contract should do so before they get married, otherwise they will automatically be married out of community of property.

ASSETS: Any property or items of monetary value. In respect of marriage, it refers to all property acquired during the course of the marriage. Assets may include, among others, house(s), cash, investments, cars, pensions, and insurance.

LIABILITIES: An obligation such as a debt that you are legally required to pay. In respect of marriage, it refers to all debts and obligations that arise during a marriage