A frustrating lack of permanence plagues modern relationships. Approximately one of every two marriages ends in divorce and the average length of a marriage before divorce is only five years. Many couples today chose cohabitation over traditional marriage. What happened to the idealized family depicted in Father Knows Best, Leave it To Beaver, The Donna Reed Show and Ozzie and Harriet?
No simple answer exists to this question: our intimate relationships have been affected by the industrialization of society, urbanization, continued changes in the traditional roles of the sexes and greater economic independence for women, a rise in the percentage of the population pursuing a college education, a lessening of social pressure against couples who cohabit, the recognition of legal rights for llegitimate children, a decreasing birth rate, improved birth control methods and a longer life expectancy. All these factors contribute to our alarming divorce rate.
Is it any wonder the state ( literally, the state you live in and as, generically, any form of government) must pass laws that affect our personal relationships as we struggle for answers?
You can take opposing views of the laws in our country. One argument is that they protect society and its members, but the flip side contends they are a means of oppression. The laws that impact our intimate relationships are not necessarily harmful or intrusive in and of themselves. However, forming a relationship without a working knowledge of these laws and without considering all the ramifications can lead to situations where the end result is both.
The state's role in romantic relationships has often been justified by "public policy" interests. The term "public policy," though vague, is used to justify laws or actions that would injure the public welfare or be contrary to public decency, sound policy and good morals.
Understanding the necessity of laws that impact on our personal relationships starts with the recognition that our society is not the first to regulate love and the law. The efforts of governments throughout history to control the couplings of its citizens illustrates why and how our own laws were created and why and how, inevitably, they will adapt as society changes.
The one form of marriage permitted under our laws is the only option for couples who want a legal relationship. Happily, the single status is only a temporary situation for most Americans. Few will stop looking for love, trust, companionship and sexual and emotional fulfillment with another person. However, couples wanting to remarry, parents with ready-made families, couples over 65 looking for companionship without legal complications, all seek answers from the same legal relationship.
Although divorce laws have undergone radical changes in our lifetimes, the marriage laws have remained relatively static. Unfortunately, because couples considering marriage have many different needs, it is not uncommon for the laws that govern marriage to conflict with these needs. Too often, couples learn too late that financial penalties come attached to the marriage license. Marriage may be the only means of forming a legal and financial relationship under the law but, for many, legal marriage simply implies that they must suffer penalties to legalize their relationship.
As traditional marriage has proven less and less capable of living up to its potential in our society, alternatives such as unmarried cohabitation have arisen. The increase in couples who choose to cohabit can be traced to the fact that the marriage laws are not meeting the needs of these citizens in forming their personal relationships. Although there are a variety of reasons why couples choose to "just live together," financial disadvantages are a major factor.
If you are previously married and considering a remarriage, you know that the older bride or groom has different needs than the young couple entering a first marriage. The responsibilities and obligations from prior marriages, particularly when children are involved, cannot be ignored. Men and women over fifty who have minor children fight the same uphill battle as younger couples do in defining and fulfilling their obligations of visitation, custody, support, and inheritance. These problems create stress for the old family, as well as the new, upon remarriage.
Even without children, it is possible that obligations to former spouses can impact a new marriage. Older couples must consider the potential loss of private pensions, alimony, social security benefits or tax advantages because of a remarriage. Also important is the issue of inheritance of assets that may have taken a lifetime to accumulate. Older couples may want to limit their financial obligations to each other in the areas of support, medical costs, insurance, and pension benefits.
If you are a refugee from the marital wars, you learned the hard way about precautions that could have been taken the first time and should be taken the next. The happily married couple doesn't need to learn from experience; they, too, can benefit from the information in this book. If you are one of the lucky couples who has beat the odds and stayed married, we want to show you how to continue to protect and preserve your relationship...and your money. Check out loveandthelaw.com to discover what you need to know about your relationship.
About The Author
Ms. Duff has been featured on Today, Good Morning America, in The Wall Street Journal, Self, New Woman, Smart Money and Modern Maturity and has been a guest on hundreds of radio talk shows.
cleaning team near Winnetka ..The reception alone will bust your wedding budget if you're... Read More
Your Wedding Favors are a little bit of your wedding... Read More
Cookies as wedding favors, create an unique twist on the... Read More
The vows you take to become husband and wife are... Read More
Wedding shower favors are a way to extend gratitude from... Read More
Astrology is considered to be the oldest of all sciences,... Read More
One of the most important steps in planning your wedding,... Read More
As an experienced counselor, one of the questions I'm asked... Read More
Wedding rings are a symbol of union. A union between... Read More
One of the most joyous occasions in life is a... Read More
Your wedding day is the day when all the details... Read More
There's an important question that you need to ask the... Read More
How do you give thanks and make a lasting impression... Read More
You have your band (around your finger), now it's time... Read More
Movies, sitcoms and soapies made in the United States could... Read More
The 1999 Julia Roberts movie 'Runaway Bride' is about a... Read More
That first wedding was a dream, a gorgeous long white... Read More
Every marriage has its ups and downs, its rough periods.... Read More
Planning a wedding should be fun and exciting. However, if... Read More
Most people are aware that significant wedding anniversaries such as... Read More
So you're toying with the idea of getting married? Maybe... Read More
On Friday, 1st May 1835, Mr Charles Dickens, the creator... Read More
When it comes to placing your new diamond in a... Read More
In Part One, we looked at what wives really want... Read More
There are many great options to consider for letting your... Read More
insured cleaning company Morton Grove ..As a personal and professional development coach, I have listened... Read More
The exact origin of the wedding ring is uncertain and... Read More
What about this business of food for lovers? Is it... Read More
Every woman in the room agreed that Crichton was a... Read More
I recall how Mrs. Ingridman taught me invaluable lessons on... Read More
"Til death do us part" is still the language used... Read More
So you have been invited to a wedding. Whether you... Read More
Communication plays one of the most important roles in any... Read More
Your wedding rings were meant to last a lifetime. They... Read More
As mens wedding rings become more and more popular mens... Read More
From the book Spider's Big CatchAs June wraps its arms... Read More
When Alicia first met Tim, she found him outgoing, charming,... Read More
Perhaps the single most important thing that must be accomplished... Read More
Your groomsmen will be donating their time to your big... Read More
Astrology is considered to be the oldest of all sciences,... Read More
More and more, couples are choosing to write their own... Read More
Apparently for a person to get married is like burning... Read More
There's no doubt about it, weddings can be expensive. The... Read More
Are you looking for a las Vegas chapel to make... Read More
Your lovely fianc?e has chosen her 'maids, and now you're... Read More
Your wedding flowers cover all button holes, all the bouquets,... Read More
Getting Married? Congratulations! You just set the date for the... Read More
He's proposed, and most likely you're flashing your new engagement... Read More
Speculation continues about the break-up of Brad Pitt and Jennifer... Read More
Wedding dresses are literally the icing on the cake on... Read More
Marriage & Wedding |