I'm probably overreacting with this, but one of my closest childhood friends was killed in action a few years ago. He was married with children who are still in elementary school. After his death the community did a very good job of supporting his widow and children, likely 6 figures plus of dollars were raised to support their home and the children's education.

I spoke to my parents this morning and his widow wants to remarry (I have NO problem with that - don't even know the guy she is marrying) and will have a traditional service/reception yadda yadda yadda in April, but they aren't getting a wedding license as supposedly some of her benefits would be reduced if she was officially married into a state acknowledged relationship.

On the one hand it isn't my business, but my parents will be invited to this. And I'm a bit concerned about how this will affect the kids. If they aren't officially married certainly insurance and SS benefits would not inure, correct? I don't know which church would let them marry without a license, but for Ohio domestic law legal beagles could the minister be in trouble for marrying them without a license (I'm not going to turn them in - just curious).

Manhattan Buckeye;659080 wrote:I'm probably overreacting with this, but one of my closest childhood friends was killed in action a few years ago. He was married with children who are still in elementary school. After his death the community did a very good job of supporting his widow and children, likely 6 figures plus of dollars were raised to support their home and the children's education.

I spoke to my parents this morning and his widow wants to remarry (I have NO problem with that - don't even know the guy she is marrying) and will have a traditional service/reception yadda yadda yadda in April, but they aren't getting a wedding license as supposedly some of her benefits would be reduced if she was officially married into a state acknowledged relationship.

On the one hand it isn't my business, but my parents will be invited to this. And I'm a bit concerned about how this will affect the kids. If they aren't officially married certainly insurance and SS benefits would not inure, correct? I don't know which church would let them marry without a license, but for Ohio domestic law legal beagles could the minister be in trouble for marrying them without a license (I'm not going to turn them in - just curious).

I don't believe there is legal issue here. The ceremony, technically, has no bearing from a legal standpoint. You can do a wedding ceremony anytime you want, with whoever you want. Your dog could officiate.

That ceremony doesn't meet the requirements necessary for a legally binding marriage, but if they aren't getting a legally binding marriage, anyway, then there's nothing illicit about the ceremony.

Is she exploiting the system? Maybe, but the system is currently set up to allow people to do it.

Yea, can't imagine anything being legally wrong about it.

O-Trap;659086 wrote:I don't believe there is legal issue here. The ceremony, technically, has no bearing from a legal standpoint. You can do a wedding ceremony anytime you want, with whoever you want. Your dog could officiate.

That ceremony doesn't meet the requirements necessary for a legally binding marriage, but if they aren't getting a legally binding marriage, anyway, then there's nothing illicit about the ceremony.

Is she exploiting the system? Maybe, but the system is currently set up to allow people to do it.

OK, I see your point, after all the First Amendment protects people making vows or whatnot in public, but without a license wouldn't the children be exposed if the "new" father had an experience that would typically trigger benefits for his children? When my dad told me about this my initial reaction was "well, he wants to live in the home and be their father but not legally be their father - won't there be some ramifications from this"?

I never been to a fake wedding but I have heard of one. Someone I know claims she is married and her family believes it. But if you look up the marriage certificate online, she is no where to be found.

Manhattan Buckeye;659121 wrote:OK, I see your point, after all the First Amendment protects people making vows or whatnot in public, but without a license wouldn't the children be exposed if the "new" father had an experience that would typically trigger benefits for his children? When my dad told me about this my initial reaction was "well, he wants to live in the home and be their father but not legally be their father - won't there be some ramifications from this"?

I suppose.

Might be a no-win situation. Forfeit something now or potentially something later.

...but another reason that State sanctioned marriages should not exist.