Marriage Till death do us part…

Engagement Requirements In N.C., the ring is a “condition” of marriage. – If the marriage is called off, the ring should be returned. – Once the marriage is completed, the ring is considered a gift and is property of the wife.

What are the N.C. requirements? Blood Test? – No Waiting Period? – No Allow Common Law Marriage? – No Same Sex Marriage? – No Legal Ceremony & Witness Required? – Yes (Required by most states)

Legal Aspects of a Marriage Name Change (No legal requirement) Privileged Communications (Neither person can be forced to disclose information shared in a marriage) Inheritance (Spouses are required to receive a portion of the estate) – Law suit awards – Insurance Consent: No one can be forced to marry someone against his or her will.

Age Couples must be 18 year old to marry. Couples over 16 must have parental (etc.) consent. Pregnant couples over 14 must gain consent from court

Incest? Incest: Sexual relations with a close relative First cousins can legally marry, but closer relatives are prohibited

Common-Law Marriage Marriage without an official license and ceremony. Some states allow common-law marriage if a couple has lived together for a certain time.

Same Sex Marriage 7 States and D.C. allow same- sex marriage 13 states recognize same-sex marriages from other states* 31 states do not recognize same-sex marriages from other states May 8: N.C. voters decided to pass an amendment banning same sex marriage and civil unions. (Amendments mean court decisions cannot override laws) esources/documents/info- SAME_SEX_MAP_0905.html esources/documents/info- SAME_SEX_MAP_0905.html

Civil Unions Created to provide same-sex couples the same benefits of marriage DE, HI, II, VT, NH, CT, NJ, RI

Single People who live together The number of single people living together without getting married has increased. New laws have granted more rights.

Cohabitation Agreement Written or oral agreement that outlines how couples will deal with money, property and responsibilities. Courts are beginning to acknowledge these documents.

Bigamy Having more than one husband or wife. N.C. Law=Must divorce or the spouse must be deceased to remarry. If a spouse is missing for 7 years, the partner may remarry. Polygymous Marriage

Religious Belief and Marriage In 1878, George Reynolds, a Mormon living in Utah, was arrested and charged with the crime of bigamy. At the time, the Mormon religion regarded plural marriages as a religious obligation. Mormons then believed that refusal to practice polygamy when circumstances permitted would lead to “damnation in the life to come.” Reynolds argued that the anti-bigamy law violated his constitutional right to freedom of religion. After his conviction, he appealed his case to the Supreme Court. How would you rule?

ed_States ed_States