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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?.
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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) • http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/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?