My brother and his girlfriend have a 3 year old child together, but don't seem too interested in getting married, especially her. What are some solid logical, financial or legal reasons (sorry, religion won't work for them) for them to get married? Personally, I think it's wrong to just shack up and have kids, but I'm not going to approach it that way. I think there may be tax benefits, but what are they? Any legal benefits?
2007-07-14 06:44:14 · 11 answers · asked by Todd L 2 in Family & Relationships ➔ Marriage & Divorce
PS- they currently live together.
2007-07-14 06:51:25 · update #1
The reason I am asking is for concern about my nephew. I'm looking for logical reasons to protect him from an unstable house. I grew up with a couple of stepdads, rarely seeing my father and don't think that is the best way for a child to grow up.
2007-07-14 06:54:58 · update #2
Let the sleeping dog sleep.
Its their affair after all
and they are old enough
to sort out things for themselves.
2007-07-14 06:54:28 · answer #1 · answered by priya 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For me, getting married was a public declaration in the eyes of God, the state, friends and family that he and I had committed to each other, we were now a unit for a lifetime. The legal and financial benefits didn't come into it. This was a declaration to all, from this day on, this is THE TWO OF US.
If your brother and his girlfriend are old enough to be rearing a child, they are old enough to decide how they want the family unit to be. It must be working for them, or I'm sure you would have mentioned it. Leave them be. Someday they may decide they would like that bit of paper. Be happy for them, whatever they choose.
2007-07-14 07:27:24 · answer #2 · answered by bluebell 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One of the main reasons is that one piece of paper -- a marriage license -- covers things that you would need a ton of other legal work to do. Should something happen to one of them, the other is NOT the person who could make decisions. A friend of mine is a nurse and she has to kick people out of hospital rooms and allow the family to make a decision. 401 (k)s, pensions, social security, and all of those type things will go to the nearest blood relative, not the live-in partner. They may have covered their bases by going through a lawyer and getting all the paperwork done, but odds are against it. Tax benefits may vary depending on how much they make and if they both work.
2007-07-14 06:54:23 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The most important legal point is the child is legitimate. She has a father and a mother on the birth certificate but when she goes to school, she will soon find that other kids have married fathers and mothers and she doesn't.
People have dreams. I don't believe anyone dream of shacking up when they were little. Young girls dream of their glorious moments at their weddings. No matter how practical it sounds, I believe a woman know inside that her life is incomplete to have no legitimate husband and her child is illegitimate.
2007-07-14 06:53:05 · answer #4 · answered by Sir Richard 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I feel that the only reason to get married is love. If you can see yourself waking up next to the same person 40 years from now, then it's probably the next step to take in a relationship. I have been married for 18 years. We had one child before we married. We just knew the time was right to get married. There are actually some benefits of being married as opposed to being single. In my state, you get a discount on your car insurance. You get a bigger tax break on income taxes. If you hate your last name, it can be changed to the other persons. (ex. If your name is Harry Balls, then take the girls last name unless it's Butz.)
2007-07-14 06:50:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Yes.
A single father has NO legal rights to his child until he goes to court and fights for them.
A married father has FULL legal rights to his child unless a court takes them away.
This probably won't be a factor while they're in a great relationship with each other. But the legal system considers the child HERS. This means when she gets upset, even the police can't stop her if she wants to take it anywhere at anytime for any reason away from him.
2007-07-14 06:59:28 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
the only one who has benefits legally is the child. stay out of it , this is really none of your business and does not concern you at all
2007-07-17 01:39:17 · answer #7 · answered by cheri h 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Of corse, no loneleness. Also there are ADULT THINGS that a child can not provide
EDIT: why buy the cow when you get the milk for free
2007-07-14 06:47:40 · answer #8 · answered by ♥Lulu- IS BACK♥ 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Taxes and insurance / benefits.
2007-07-14 06:47:22 · answer #9 · answered by HATE MONSTER™ 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you need to ask yourself this question:
Why does this bother YOU? Why does it matter to you whether or not they are married?
2007-07-14 06:52:54 · answer #10 · answered by banana6464 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋