I think living together is a step everyone should take before marriage. You really don't know someone well enough to consider marriage until you live together.

I've been down that road twice. I've spent the past few months thinking I won't do it again. But then I started talking to someone who I feel may have changed my mind. Blindsided, didn't expect it, and unafraid to face it. But here's the thing: you never can tell. I feel that if you meet someone who has the qualities you thought you were getting with the other(s) and living together for a while proves to be comfortable and fun, marry them.

I'll probably give marriage a try again (third times the charm, right?!). But for me, there has to be a real chemical reaction and strong attraction.

All legitimate concerns...any wonder why a marriage license is called a contract?

I have been married three times, divorced three times. I have never been with someone who just wanted to live together. My last wife and I cohabited for about two years while my previous wife was holding us hostage to try and squeeze a better financial settlement for herself. But there were visa issues that were running out, so marriage to the last one was the only way to keep her and her son in country.

That’s a lot of questions. Property ownership depends who’s name is in the mortgage. Child support- visit your department of child support enforcement marriage is not a factor. In my country mom gets medicaid and Medicare at retirement age. Hope she has savings. The rest can be sorted in court unfortunately.

That’s a lot of questions. Property ownership depends who’s name is in the mortgage. Child support- visit your department of child support enforcement marriage is not a factor. In my country mom gets medicaid and Medicare at retirement age. Hope she has savings. The rest can be sorted in court unfortunately.

Morally yes totally, the problem is recognition provided by the state to such relationships and the financial hit that may be taken because of lack of a legal standing! Different states provide different levels of recognition, generally the more secular the state the less importance is attached to a formal marriage and the more recognition provided to common-law relationships!

In California, after two years of cohabitation a man and a woman are considered to be common law spouses, and the same rules apply as is they were married.

of course

Keep it super simple K. I. S. S! . No marriage no KIDS AND Yes to s wonderful bachelor life ?

I'm past all that but wouldn't rule out either.

For all of the forementioned reasons I'm a marriage only person.
In my opinion it's selfish not to think of the children.. these are lives and souls ?

First of all, if you are the parent you don't get to just walk away from the kids the law has something to say about that whether or not you're legally married to the other parent. Marriage does not prevent a parent from taking off. My oldest brother is a deadbeat dad. Being legally married did not stop him from disappearing on his wife and 5 kids. The working issues need to be resolved but rarely does any woman stay at home with the kids anymore. Who can afford it? Why shouldn't dad stay home if mom can earn more money and support the family? Property ownership can be done with two individuals not connected by marriage. College for the kids, again something to be discussed before you get them started. There is no real reason to be married in this day and age. I will never remarry, but I'm a long way from considering more kids.

it seems like married or not that kind of separation is hell for everyone except the lawyers.

As I see it living together only substitutes one potential set of problems for another.I have known of two couples that have lived together and when they separated they both had numerous problems regarding children,money,property,retirement income,child support,children's education, medical expenses and denial of visitation rights for the children. Atty fees were no different than going through a divorce. So why not bite the bullet do not make the children bastards and work on having a wonderful marriage.

I am way past bearing children, and my children are all independent adults. I have some pension funds that are tied into my ex husband's earnings because I was a stay at home mom for most of our marriage. Therefore, marrying would create a financial penalty for me. Unless future spouse is really really rich and really really demands marriage, nope not for me. Now for your questions re: minor children. The law is pretty good about child support if your name is on the birth certificate. The question of mom not working will need to be addressed by a lawyer and each state will have different rules. Property ownership will be the same way. Do you recall several years ago a Hollywood Palimony case? I don't remember the individuals, I just remember the term Palimony being kicked around. College for the children is never a given. I've known too many women left with little when the husband decided to take off, so marriage is no guarantee. EVER.

Yes