Being married OR Living Together?

Question

Which is a better situation to be in between the two? What are the advantages of being married than just living together?

Answer 1

I have been in both situation. My husband and I lived together before we got married. And I say that when we got married, I felt more secure and stable in our relationship. For me, getting married brought us closer to each other knowing that we are bonded both in our hearts and in the eyes of God.

I also think that living together before getting married is an advantage because you learn everything about your partner when you're under the same roof. You see both his best and worst behavior and that is very important to be considered if you really want to be married with him and be with him.

Answer 2

Love is where the heart is. A piece of paper will not tell you where the heart is. If you're happy you should not need paper confirmation. Be together because you want to not because you feel you've signed an agreement. I was married and unhappy for 6 Years, I've now been in my new relationship, not married for 12 Years, I have 2 kids, and we're so happy. My partner and I see it as a never-ending dating relationship. Its way more fun! I don't know about the rest of the world, I'm in Australia, there is no difference here. Legally, whether you are married or not if you live with someone in a relationship for 6 Months + you have the same rights and obligations under the law as if you were married.

Answer 3

It really depends on the people involved and what they want and need...but outside of "love" (which you can have if married or not) here are some legal issues that prompt people to marry versus just living together:

Lower taxes. Singles pay more than married couples.

If you were ill and could not make your own decisions re: treatment your spouse could do that for you. Your girlfriend/boyfriend cannot.

If you die, your spouse typically inherits your property and life insurance benefits. Unless you have will that specifies the distribution of your assets, your girlfriend/boyfriend is likely to get nothing.

Spouses can typically take advantage of your health benefits (or you theirs), where a girlfriend/boyfriend cannot.

Spouses may be entitled to some form of financial benefit if you were to die (depending on your career) but a girlfriend/boyfriend would not.

If those things mean nothing to you, then no reason to marry if you can live together and be a couple...otherwise, there are some things to consider.

Answer 4

My husband and I lived together for four years before we got married. There really isn't much of a difference between the two, other than I know that we have both made the very important decision to be together forever.

Answer 5

Living together undermines the importance and blessing of marriage. "Playing House" is not the same as being married. When you are living together, there is always something in the back of your mind that knows you can walk away at anytime - it just isn't that serious. There isn't as much dedication to work at it, as a team. With marriage, there is a closer connection, more intimacy, etc. In addition, there's insurance, taxes, and other benefits. If you live together and decide to part ways, it is an absolute nightmare. Judges will not divide up property under any circumstances. There are no laws to protect live in's. In some states, if you have been living together for a certain amount of years (ie. 10 or 20) you are considered a common law wife or husband and do have some protection, but it still isn't the same as being married. Personally, I don't believe in common law and this is not available in most states.

Answer 6

To me, living together is the studpidest thing I've ever heard of! What is the reason for "playing house" as an adult? It is childish and irresponsible.

What are the advantages to being married? Building a life together, and starting off with commitment, for one. Probably the biggest advantage is the fact that your children will not grow up with a single parent. When you are in a committed marital relationship, it is more necessary to work things out as a couple, rather than going to your friends to vent. You are building a family! That is what society is lacking.

Answer 7

Well the advantages of just living together are knowing for sure what kind of person you are going to end up marrying. If it happens to not work out you guys will just split and you won't have to worry about a divorce. The disadvantages are getting kicked out of his or her house and not knowing what to do. If you are married, you have already tied the knot and won't have to worry with the stress of just living together.

Answer 8

For a woman I suggest marriage, that way you can stop having sex him. (just kidding...kind of)

I do recommend you live together first but place a date several years in the future where you both have to make a decision on getting married. At that point you can decide to just keep living together or get married.

There are a lot of benefits of mariage financially and legally, and if you want to have kids it may be better for them to be born to a wedded couple (only if both parents are good parents).

Answer 9

I think you should live together first. By doing so your able to really see how your partner is like. You can truly see if that's the person you see yourself with for the rest of your life... and if you do then the next step is marriage. You obviously don't want to get married first and then realize it was a mistake do you????

Answer 10

I dont really think that there are that many differences weather you married or just living together... I think many people just feel like its a more committed relationship. Seems like many people will just take the relationship more serious if they have the contract of marriage.. there less likely to cheat on there spouse. Being married makes it so u cant just walk away when theres hard times.. you might be more inclined to work it out because its a little more difficult to go thou a divorce.