Marriage

Marriage

Marriage

Getting MarriedMarriage LicenseWaiting PeriodWedding Ceremony

What do you need to know?Individually, please make a list of everything partners need to know about each other people before taking the plunge.

What questions do you need to ask yourself, as well?Marriage LicenseIn Mecklenburg County:Marriage application form$60.00 feeRace and education level must be listedPeople 16 to 17 must get consent by:ParentGuardianInstitution serving as guardianPeople 14 to 16 must:Go to a district court judge

To be marriedCeremony performed byOrdained ministerMinister authorized by his or her churchSuperior court judgeMagistrateAny person recognized by any other religious institution

ContNo marriage of two people closer than first cousins shall be lawfulIncest: Marrying or having sexual relations with a close relationshipIf license is not returned after 10 days both parties shall be guilty of a misdemeanorAnnulment v. DivorceAnnulment: court order decreeing that a marriage never existedThe man and woman were never legally husband and wifeReasons for annulment:Age: the couple was too youngBigamy: One spouse was already marriedFraud: One spouse lied about an important matterLack of Consent: One spouse was forced to marry against their will

Arranged MarriagesIn countries such as India, many marriages are still arranged by parents.

Is this a violation of human rights, or is it OK because it is custom?

Sister WivesMonogamy: One wife and one husbandBigamy: Having two spousesPolygamy: Having more than two spousesPolygyny: man has multiple wivesPolyandry: woman has multiple husbandsGroup Marriage: multiple husbands and multiple wives

Separation & DivorceSeparation:Short cooling off period or permanent

Still legally married

Most states require before a divorce

DivorceCouple legally ends marriage & divides property

Can be very expensive: alimony, child support, legal fees, etc.

DivorceThe Old WayThe New WayUsed to have to prove:AdulteryDesertionMental crueltyPhysical crueltyInsanity

If one spouse was at fault, they may not receive anything at allNo-fault divorce system

Only have to prove irreconcilable differences

Would divorce rates go down if states still required proof-of-fault?Legal Grounds for Divorce in NCLiving separate and apart for one year. Living separate and apart for three consecutive years, without cohabitation, by reason of the incurable insanity of one of them, the court may grant a decree of absolute divorce upon the petition of the sane spouse. The following are allowable fault grounds for divorce if either party:Abandons his or her family. Maliciously turns the other out of doors. By cruel or barbarous treatment endangers the life of the other. Offers indignities which render the other spouse's condition intolerable and life burdensome. Becomes an excessive user of alcohol or drugs. Commits adultery.

2010 Divorce StatisticsMarriages per 1,000: 6.8Divorces per 1,000: 3.4Chances marriage will end in divorce:20% of marriages will end in divorce with 5 years. 35% of marriages end in divorce within 10 years. 43% of marriages end in divorce within 15 years. 50% of marriages end in divorce within 20 years. Marriages that end do not always end in divorce; many end in separation and do not go through the divorce process. Separated Caucasian women are much more likely (91%) to divorce after 3 years, compared with separated Hispanic women (77%) and separated African American women (67%).

QuestionDoes divorce vary by ethnicity?

QuestionWhy has the divorce rate spiked so much in the last 30 years?CustodyMost states take into account the best interest of the child

Rarely changed after court ruling

CustodyChild can choose at age 13

Joint custody must have both parents in agreementHelpful or harmful?

QuestionIn partners:

The Case of the Two Fathers, page 421.

GO!StepparentsIn loco parentis stepparents required to support stepchildren in most states, even after they have moved out

Can adopt stepchildren to become full parents