My friends got married with no license. They had a "ceremony" in the house by a "real" preacher who says he has the authority to marry "under God". Are they really married? Our state no longer recognizes common law.
They say they didn't want a license because they will get more retirement money this way. They are active in our local church and professing Christians.
2007-07-12 17:05:56 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
Retirement is not coming from a deceased spouse.
2007-07-12 17:17:52 · update #1
They are not "hurting" financially. Although they like the 'better' life.
2007-07-12 17:18:52 · update #2
I knew a couple that also married without a license. They didn't want to pay for a divorce if it didn't work out.
Your friends are NOT really married, and I agree with the comment above...they KNOW it.
My concern is with the so-called preacher that would preform such a farce. Seems preachers have enough within their ranks giving the profession a bad name, and here is another.
There are liars everywhere, even in marriage. The reasons you gave did not seem real enough to NOT marry someone you SAY you LOVE. These two seem to be just playing the game.
2007-07-12 17:43:01 · answer #1 · answered by StoneCold 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Nope, a marriage ceremony in the US isn't complete until the paper work is done. It isn't up to the preacher to get the marriage license together. It sounds like one of them is getting SS from a deceased spouse. If they marry legally this person will lose benefits. (Usually the woman). It sucks how our system is set up sometimes. Maybe they just had to do it that way to make ends meet.
2007-07-12 17:15:47 · answer #2 · answered by mafiosu 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
I don't see how they would get more retirement money. It's not a legal marriage. It's not going to be recognized by anyone in any legal way. It's not smart because they aren't entitled to the spousal benefits or legal decisions if one of them dies. If their home is under one name, the other spouse is screwed unless they have both made living wills and wills upon death. Those MUST be legal to be taken seriously. I'm sure God recognizes them but last time I checked, the government doesn't care about "marriage only under God". I work for attorneys. They are screwing themselves.
2007-07-12 17:21:26 · answer #3 · answered by amyaz_98 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
No, they are not legally married. They may get more retirement money, but what would happen if one of them passes? They would not have any access to this money if the family contests it. Since they have already had the ceremony, they just need to have a civil ceremony to get the legality out of the way.
2007-07-12 17:11:58 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Without a license they are not legally married that goes for all 50 states
2007-07-12 17:09:15 · answer #5 · answered by pinksmallbubbles 2 · 3⤊ 1⤋
gee. even i know this one. they are not married, duh.
would be like pretending to be a doctor or nurse cause u don't want to bother with a license. you can say what ever you want but you are not really something until you get a legal license.
if they are old they should know better. maybe they are dumb.
2007-07-12 17:54:27 · answer #6 · answered by Peace :3 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Why can't you get your husband that passed away retirement if you remarry?
2014-09-21 09:47:35 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, and they know it also.
They are correct, alot of older people do not marry and live together because their social security would be cut, if they marry. That law should be changed!!
God bless them and a happy voyage through life!
2007-07-12 17:13:18 · answer #8 · answered by Eve 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
that's why it's called a marriage license...it's proof that you are married...just like a driver's license is proof that you are capable of driving a vehicle.
so no they're not legally married
2007-07-12 17:21:34 · answer #9 · answered by Drakona 5 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Yes it does still count. Nothing in the Bible says you need to be married by the state and a pastor.....so they are still Christians and their marriage still does count, in the eyes of the Only One that counts, God.
2007-07-12 17:21:13 · answer #10 · answered by mahdiya 3 · 5⤊ 4⤋