Thunder, my comment about marriage is based on my experience with my MLCer. We are still married and have not started any legal action. For me, I see no benefit to the institution of marriage. I am happy I was married and hope to save my current marriage, but will not marry a second time. I already have children and see no benefit to ever marrying again. I am interested if any of the other men here feel the same. I'm also interested as to what benefits of marriage anyone else here sees. You can have all the benefits of a marriage without creating a legal contract. I'm not opposed to being fair in a divorce settlement, I just wouldn't do it a second time knowing what I now know.
Whether or not to marry again is subjective to the parties involved and personal preference.
Technically, there is no need for marriage period. A man and woman can commit to each other, have children, raise and provide for them as Well as nurture each other And sustain the relationship indefinitely without being legally married! Couple of good examples are Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn and Gene Simmons with Shannon Tweed. Neither of these couples were married yet they both sustained long term relationships and both had children they raised together.
Reality is, eventually you will get pushed for marriage. It doesn't take lon, few months, a year, and eventually you will get approached with questions like "so what are we", suggestions to move in together, and some will flat out pressure you for marriage.
While there are legal benefits (tax breaks, insurance plans, etc ), marriage really benefits the woman. Because of the draconian divorce laws that typically favor women, marriage ensures that, should things go sour, she can be entitled to assets and alimony. Even if she Does have a good paying job, more often than not you will pay or relinquish assets to ensure she can sustain her "standard of living".
I don't include CS as that is given and a man should support his child both question and with a smile on his face!
The only real benefit to marriage after kids I can see is financial peers combining assets for a standard of living.....and even then, individual assets should not be mingled and a pre-nup and follow up post-nup is crucial in the event things go sour. Marriage has nothing to do with love.....you can love someone for the rest of your life, support and nurture them, and never need to be married to do so.
I personally am not opposed to marriage.....but extreme screening should be done; understand fully Well the type of person they are and don't be afraid to bail when red flags come to surface! She needs to bring something to the table as well (financially) and have her own hobbies & activities to meet some of her needs. It's impossible and very selfish to ask someone to meet your every need and revolve around them!
Regards