A covenant marriage is a legally distinct kind of marriage in certain states within the United States (i.e. Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana), in which the marrying spouses agree to obtain pre-marital counseling, sign a statement declaring "that a covenant marriage is for life", and accept more limited grounds for later seeking divorce. Very few couples have married under covenant marriage law, but may also accept the obligations of a covenant marriage at a later date.
A spouse in a covenant marriage desiring a divorce may be required to attend marital counseling, but must always prove that one of the following is true:
The other spouse has committed adultery.
The other spouse has committed a felony.
The other spouse engages in substance abuse.
The other spouse has physically or sexually abused the spouse or a child.
The spouses have been living separately for a minimum amount of time specified by law (e.g. 1-2 years).