We use elementary game-theoretical concepts to compare domestic equilibria with and without marriage. In particular, we … examine the effects of marriage legislation, matrimonial property regime, and divorce court sentencing practice, on the … decision to marry, and on the choice of game conditional on marriage. We find that, in the absence of social stigma or legal …

marriage which exactly offsets their higher prospective divorce settlement. When remarriage is possible, more complex effects … could occur: the reform typically alters divorce probabilities and it may affect the total surplus generated by marriage …

matching and marriage quality for each couple is revealed ex post. Changes in alimony laws are shown to affect existing couples … marriage match quality is low, while, for couples not yet formed, they generate offsetting intra-household transfers and lower …