A "royal wedding" in my family has recently been called off due to one or both of the participants having the dreaded "second thoughts." They are in their thirties, have been living together for a couple of years...the usual stuff today. The cancellation will cost almost as much as the wedding itself had it gone forward. On the other hand, hundreds of people won't have to shell out for a gift, so that's a positive. On the other hand, there was a rather elaborate and well-attended wedding shower at which the Bride & "happy couple" were showered with scores of expensive gifts. What's the protocol for getting them back?
So the question arises, is it time for Renewable Marriage? You get married for a fixed term - three or five years, let's say - then the marriage automatically expires, unless the two parties mutually agree to renew. Children result in a compulsory 5 year extension, but that's all. Contracts entered into during the term of the marriage must stand on their own. A mortgage survives the expiration of the marriage, according to the terms of the mortgage. Real estate deeds, titles, etc., remain according to their respective terms. Loans are to the individual during a Renewable Marriage, and the other partner assumes no liability for the debts of the spouse, unless the lender can show fraud or intent to deceive.
This couple would have probably gone forward with a three-year hitch. But what's the point? They are living as husband & wife, but the male person has none of the responsibilities or liabilities that he would traditionally have had in a marriage. In fact, he can scram at any time with no tangible penalty.
So the question arises, is it time for Renewable Marriage? You get married for a fixed term - three or five years, let's say - then the marriage automatically expires, unless the two parties mutually agree to renew. Children result in a compulsory 5 year extension, but that's all. Contracts entered into during the term of the marriage must stand on their own. A mortgage survives the expiration of the marriage, according to the terms of the mortgage. Real estate deeds, titles, etc., remain according to their respective terms. Loans are to the individual during a Renewable Marriage, and the other partner assumes no liability for the debts of the spouse, unless the lender can show fraud or intent to deceive.
This couple would have probably gone forward with a three-year hitch. But what's the point? They are living as husband & wife, but the male person has none of the responsibilities or liabilities that he would traditionally have had in a marriage. In fact, he can scram at any time with no tangible penalty.
