PART 1. PRELIMINARY PROVISIONS [1. - 13.]

Part 1 enacted by Stats. 1992, Ch. 162, Sec. 10.

§§ 1–13 · 13 sections

• § 1 This code shall be known as the Family Code.
• § 2 A provision of this code, insofar as it is substantially the same as a previously existing provision relating to the same subject matter, shall be considered…
• § 3 A provision of this code, insofar as it is the same in substance as a provision of a uniform act, shall be construed to effectuate the general purpose to make…
• § 4 (a) As used in this section: (1) “New law” means either of the following, as the case may be: (A) The act that enacted this code. (B) The act that makes a…
• § 5 Division, part, chapter, article, and section headings do not in any manner affect the scope, meaning, or intent of this code.
• § 6 Unless the provision or context otherwise requires, the general provisions and rules of construction in this part govern the construction of this code.
• § 7 Whenever a reference is made to a portion of this code or to another law, the reference applies to all amendments and additions regardless of when made.
• § 8 Unless otherwise expressly stated: (a) “Division” means a division of this code. (b) “Part” means a part of the division in which that term occurs. (c)…
• § 9 The present tense includes the past and future tenses, and the future, the present.
• § 10 The singular number includes the plural, and the plural, the singular.
• § 11 A reference to “husband” and “wife,” “spouses,” or “married persons,” or a comparable term, includes persons who are lawfully married to each other and persons…
• § 12 “Shall” is mandatory and “may” is permissive. “Shall not” and “may not” are prohibitory.
• § 13 If a provision or clause of this code or its application to any person or circumstances is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or…