Temporary Marriage Licenses
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S.jR.
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Mexico City lawmakers want to help newlyweds avoid the hassle of divorce by giving them an easy exit strategy: temporary marriage licenses.
Leftists in the city's assembly — who have already riled conservatives by legalizing ? marriage — proposed a reform to the civil code this week that would allow couples to decide on the length of their commitment, opting out of a lifetime.
The minimum marriage contract would be for two years and could be renewed if the couple stays happy. The contracts would include provisions on how children and property would be handled if the couple splits.
"The proposal is, when the two-year period is up, if the relationship is not stable or harmonious, the contract simply ends," said Leonel Luna, the Mexico City assemblyman who co-authored the bill.
"You wouldn't have to go through the tortuous process of divorce," said Luna, from the leftist Party of the Democratic Revolution, which has the most seats in the 66-member chamber.
Luna says the proposed law is gaining support and he expects a vote by the end of this year.
Around half of Mexico City marriages end in divorce, usually in the first two years.
The bustling capital, one of the world's largest cities, is much more liberal than the rest of the country, where the divorce rate is significantly lower although on the rise.
Abortion is legal in Mexico City, while the Supreme Court ruled this week to uphold state laws in Baja California that say life begins at conception.
Leftist Mayor Marcelo Ebrard, who angered the Catholic Church when he made Mexico City the first Latin American city to legalize ? marriage in late 2009, announced this month he would soon step down to run for president.
The church criticized the proposed change.
"This reform is absurd. It contradicts the nature of marriage," said Hugo Valdemar, spokesman for the Mexican archdiocese. "It's another one of these electoral theatrics the assembly tends to do that are irresponsible and immoral."
The Church holds considerable sway in the country with the world's second largest Catholic population after Brazil.
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/44724855
Yall up on this?
Comments
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yeah, i heard about this on NPR. Let the marriage expire as oppose to divorce. the positive side of it, should make people think carefully before getting married. I understand it , they will have to decide everything up front like custody, assets, property, etc
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Make people think rationally instead of on all emotion. I don't think its a bad thing.
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I think its a great idea
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Diabolic to the very core.
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DoUwant2go2Heaven? wrote: »Diabolic to the very core.
so is living a miserable ass life -
It would be like a episode of change of heart
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^^^ isn't that what it is now? Except worse because there isn't an even pre-decided split.
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Lol at people getting on this to trick ? into giving up that ? ? ...
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The only problem is that people can change their minds in two years. Sure it helps avoid divorces but it also makes you decide on things before you figure out the situation. I just think its not well thought out. Cant really solve problems while creating them theres no progress there.
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Bad idea...it take away the commitment to family....makes it easy to run away from your problems instead of working them out.....they should instead put a legal age for getting married....shouldn't be allowed to get married until 28 or 30..by that time you done ran thru all the ? you can and should have figured what your career will be....This from a happily married man of 15 years...thank you
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dog, fishing, liquor, hunting, boxing,medical, driving licenses. all expire.
marriage one does not. wtf....
with that said, 2 yrs is too short. 5 to 7 would be more appropriate. -
I like the idea... but the idea is not without its faults.... But no form of legislation is perfect.
Either way its a step in a more liberal direction that forces people to consider the very real possibility of separation from the beginning.
They can always repeal the bill if its not as effective as you might think.