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Marriage licenses to have a statement of intent to be completed by one or both spouses that the "We, [name of intended husband] and [name of intended wife], do hereby declare our intent to contract a Covenant Marriage and, accordingly, have executed a declaration of intent attached hereto." | ||||||||
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The couple to recite a declaration: "We do solemnly declare
that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman who agree to live
together as husband and wife for so long as they both may live. We have chosen
each other carefully and disclosed to one another everything which could
adversely affect the decision to enter into this marriage. We have received
premarital counseling on the nature, purposes, and responsibilities of
marriage. We have read the Covenant Marriage Act, and we understand that a
Covenant Marriage is for life. If we experience martial difficulties, we
commit ourselves to take all reasonable efforts to preserve our marriage,
including marital counseling. | ||||||||
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The couple to provide an affidavit that they have received appropriate pre-marital counseling | ||||||||
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A notarized attestation by the counselor that the couple has been suitably counseled and provided with a pamphlet called "Covenant Marriage Act" | ||||||||
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A divorce for a spouse in a covenant marriage may only be granted upon proof that the other spouse has:
An alternative ground is that they have lived separately without reconciliation, for 12, 18 or 24 months (depending upon circumstances). | ||||||||
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A spouse in a covenant marriage can obtain a judgment of judicial separation if they have first obtained counseling and if:
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Already-married couples may designate their marriage to be a covenant marriage. They must recite a statement, provide an affidavit that they have received counseling, and provide a notarized attestation from the counselor that the couple has received counseling and a copy of the state pamphlet.
Impact of Covenant Marriage in Louisiana:
In the three states that permit covenant marriages, the vast majority of couples still prefer to have "ordinary marriages" which provide for no-fault divorces. The first covenant marriage law was enacted in Louisiana in 1997-AUG. Initially, fewer than 1% of new marriages were covenants. This rose to an estimated 2.9% by mid-1998. 5
A Gallup Poll conducted in Louisiana between 1998-JUL and SEP -- about one year after the bill became law. The margin of error is 4.4 percentage points. Results:
| Only 43% of subjects recalled hearing about covenant marriages. |
| Only 35% remembered the Louisiana law having been passed. |
| Most were not aware that currently-married couples could convert their relationship to a covenant marriage. |
| 25% said that it was too soon to tell if covenant marriages are a good idea |
| 61% would have a positive reaction if their child chose a covenant marriage. |
| 63% believe that covenant marriages will strengthen family life |
| 59% believe that covenant marriages will last longer that regular marriages |
| 58% believe that they will be better for children. 6,7 |
Judge Jules Edwards of the Lafayette District of Louisiana decided to refuse to marry couples who had chosen a conventional, contract marriage. However, he performs covenant marriages for free. He wrote: "I do not charge anything for this service. The celebration of a covenant marriage helps me fulfill my commitment to strengthen the family as an institution." 8
Note:
The above material is general overview of covenant marriage. Do not base any personal decisions on them. First, read the actual laws in your state or consult a lawyer who is skilled in family law.
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Home > "Hot" topics > Marriage > Covenant marriage > here |
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Home > Religious info > Basic religious info > Religious practices > Marriage > Covenant > here |
References:
- "Covenant Marriage Links," at Americans for Divorce Reform, at: http://www.divorcereform.org/cov.html
- "Senate Bill 1133," at: http://www.divorcereform.org/ari.html
- "House Bill 2039," at:
http://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/ftproot/ You need software to read this file. It can be obtained free from:
- "New Louisiana Covenant Marriage Law," at: http://patriot.net/~crouch/cov/index.html
- "Opportuning virtue: Covenant Marriages, the Louisiana Experience, and Beyond," at: http://www.gwu.edu/~ccps/covmrg.html
- Kristie Rutherford, "Okla. considers covenant marriage," Focus on the Family, 2002-MAY-9, at: http://www.family.org/cforum/
- "Legislative Update," Oklahoma Family Policy Council, at: http://www.okfamilypc.org/
- Kristie Rutherford, "Okla. Marriage Bill Killed: A bill designed to strengthen marriage in Oklahoma has died." Focus on the Family, 2002-JUN-5, at: http://www.family.org/cforum/state/article/
- Text of the Covenant Marriage Law is at: http://www.lafayetteparishclerk.com/
Copyright © 2001 to 2006 by Ontario Consultants on Religious
Tolerance
Originally written: 2001-DEC-13
Latest update: 2006-AUG-05
Author: B.A. Robinson
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