Marriages should be allowed to end after 7 years...?

[DSTRen13]

I could agree with this, as I see a clear distinction between marriage the legal institution (which would be what would expire and need to be renewed) and marriage the social/religious institution (which each couple would treat according to their own beliefs).

[James]

I agree, but I think 7 years is too long . . one year renewable, three year renewable, max 5 year renewable.

But a one year renewable would force the couple to constantly try and please each other . . .

[Cardinal026]

I'm not sure I see the point of having an expiration date when you can just get divorced. It says that Pauli herself is twice divorced, so must not be that difficult to do so in Berlin. If the argument is that people stay in it because its safe - well, if they're not working to improve it, or making the decision to end it, isn't that kinda their own fault? I don't agree with having the government step in with a timeframe.

[DaemonSeid]

Next thing you know they will have to negotiate these things like NBA and NFL contracts.....with incentives....

**shivers**

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Cardinal026

I'm not sure I see the point of having an expiration date when you can just get divorced. It says that Pauli herself is twice divorced, so must not be that difficult to do so in Berlin. If the argument is that people stay in it because its safe - well, if they're not working to improve it, or making the decision to end it, isn't that kinda their own fault? I don't agree with having the government step in with a timeframe.

I agree. Plus, what if you don't WANT to have to renew it. Imagine the legal issues if you miss the deadline by accident.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I agree. Plus, what if you don't WANT to have to renew it. Imagine the legal issues if you miss the deadline by accident.

Exactly. I can't even remember to renew my license plates each year. I don't need anything on top of it to remember. If something like this ever passes, I think I'd just consider it a tax on marriage, because calling it a tax is about the only way I can see it making it through the actual legislation process....

[LPIDelta]

It may not be practical but this is a very intriguing idea to me.

I mean, it gives you a chance to pause at your 7th year and say, "Is this working for me?" "Do I want to continue?" And it kind of gives you an easy out without the whole mess of lawyers and divorce papers and courts.

I love my husband, but I never needed the legal side to make it whole.

And, for the record, I have been married six years last month!

[AlphaFrog]

Question for the sake of discussion...I assume the paperwork would require BOTH parties to sign to make the renewal official...right???

Generally, in most marriages, there's a person who "takes care of the house" - pays the bills, signs the report cards, makes sure the taxes get done, etc... Isn't that just giving them one more thing to nag their partner about???

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by AlphaFrog

Question for the sake of discussion...I assume the paperwork would require BOTH parties to sign to make the renewal official...right???

Generally, in most marriages, there's a person who "takes care of the house" - pays the bills, signs the report cards, makes sure the taxes get done, etc... Isn't that just giving them one more thing to nag their partner about???

And if one partner wants to remain married and the other doesn't.. this wouldn't necessarily be an amicable easy split. Partner number two could use it as leverage to get x, y, and z.

[Educatingblue]

Originally Posted by Drolefille

I agree. Plus, what if you don't WANT to have to renew it. Imagine the legal issues if you miss the deadline by accident.

I think this is a lame attempt from their government hoping people WILL forget to renew it and charge some outrageous reinstatement fee.

I still believe marriage is an issue that should be maintained according to one's religion. This just seems like another opportunity for secular society to make divorce even more convenient than what it is. What ever happened to working through your problems. No one ever said it would be easy!

[Drolefille]

Originally Posted by Educatingblue

I think this is a lame attempt from their government hoping people WILL forget to renew it and charge some outrageous reinstatement fee.

I still believe marriage is an issue that should be maintained according to one's religion. This just seems like another opportunity for secular society to make divorce even more convenient than what it is. What ever happened to working through your problems. No one ever said it would be easy!

I'm all for having all civil unions be called that and making marriage a religious-only term. But not this renewal thing....

[coco_swing]

^what about those that follow no religion. No marraige for them, then?