Mexico City Considers Temporary Marriage Licenses
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‘Til death do us part … for two years? Mexico City lawmakers are proposing legislation that would allow newlyweds to apply for temporary marriage licenses, instead of making the plunge into wedded life a lifetime commitment.
The legislation’s proponents argue that the hassle of divorce could be avoided by making these licenses an option, according to Reuters. The change to civil code was proposed this week and would allow couples to decide the length of the commitment, with two years as the minimum.
If couples are still enjoying wedded bliss when the contract ends, then they would be able to renew the license. And if they’re unhappy, the contract expires and they are both free without going through a divorce.
“The proposal is, when the two-year period is up, if the relationship is not stable or harmonious, the contract simply ends,” Leonoel Luna, the Mexico City assemblyman who co-authored the bill, told Reuters. “You wouldn’t have to go through the torturous process of divorce.”
The legislation has proved to be controversial in Mexico, the country with the second largest Catholic population in world, after Brazil.
“The reform is absurd. It contradicts the nature of marriage,” Hugo Valdemar, spokesman for the Mexican archdiocese, told Reuters. “It’s another one of these electoral theatrics the assembly tends to do that are irresponsible and immoral.”
A vote is expected on the proposed legislation by the end of the year.
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I really serious about this? In my book that is just absurd!!!!
Posted by: Catherine Simmons | September 30, 2011, 12:01 pm 12:01 pm
i wish they’d do this in the states, but insurance companies would go bonkers. after being in a relationship for 5 years, a temporary ‘test’ period to see if anything changes would be nice. essentially protecting our assets legally and gaining joint insurance coverage. but wishful thinking… BTW- if you need a piece of paper for marriage for a religious purpose, your marriage is doomed in the first place.
Posted by: Jess | September 30, 2011, 9:49 pm 9:49 pm
you gotta be realistic here – 50% of marriages end in divorce. when you marry someone you think they’re perfect, but once you really get to know them you might not think that anymore. this is a good idea – plus the chick doesn’t get half your stuff……
Posted by: chris | October 1, 2011, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
didn’t the Irish do this for many years after the English invasion? Its called Hand-fasting. Its legally binding for a year and a day and any children from such a union would be considered legitimate heirs and not bastards. If after a year and a day the couple found themselves compatible they would have the circuit or local priest officially marry them. This was also instigated because the English Lords would insist on their “one night with the bride” right (I forget off hand what its called) that the King had made law, robbing the brides husband of her virginity and in many cases traumatizing the bride with rape.
Posted by: Robin | October 1, 2011, 1:25 pm 1:25 pm