In the common law, devices such as the constructive trust are available to protect spouses in legal or common-law marriages.

He also argued that longstanding legal precedents protect spouses from having to testify against each other.

She also recommended, for a second consecutive year, that Congress protect not-guilty spouses from the burdens of tax crimes, by repealing joint and several liability rules.

Policies protect spouses, and individuals affiliated with or belonging to race-based or color-associated organizations.

Another provision would protect "innocent spouses" - generally divorced or separated women - from being liable for taxes owed by their former partners.

Prenups can protect spouses from each other's debts.

Meanwhile, well-publicized incidents of domestic assault and child abuse have riveted attention on the need for earlier intervention by the justice system to protect children and spouses from violence.

Mr. D'Amatohas also introduced a public bill to amend the law to protect widowed spouses when a judge is assassinated.

In recent years, reports of domestic assaults and child abuse have led to calls for earlier and more forceful judicial intervention to protect children and spouses from violence.