Part 34
The next sub chapter I'm on is called "The Contract"
Q. What is marriage?
A. Marriage is a contract between three
parties, traditionally a man, a woman, and
the state. The state reserves the right to
change the conditions and obligations of the
contract without permission from the other
two parties. The ingredients of the contract
are fragmented into both statutory and case
law. The contractual agreement with the state
is rather nasty and one sided, designed to protect
the female and her children. It gives her
rights to her husband's finances, property,
and future earnings. It provides her with
leverage to have him placed under restraining
orders, evicted from his home, or subjected to
garnishment of his wages. She may institute
proceedings to have him committed to a mental
institution. Community property laws give
her rights to his retirement.
Q. What about premarital contracts?
A. We live in the "land of writs and torts."
It's a society teeming with greedy attorneys
who make enormous sums of money encouraging
marriage (a contract) and writing additional
contracts as codicils (prenuptial
agreements). Attorneys are happy to sell you a
premarital or prenuptial agreement, and even
happier to bill you for its defense. Every married
couple has a contract with the state.
Some have added these additional agreements
of their own. A judge may uphold or set aside
provisions of the contracts as he sees fit.
This is an expensive process and can be very
emotional. It is not fun. A pre-marital contract
may be voided if it is contrary to the
public interest, written in anticipation of a
divorce, or improperly constructed. Parties
relinquishing something must be given consideration.
That means money. At best, a
pre-marital contract is a sticky wicket. Nonetheless,
they are highly recommended if you
are determined to involve yourself in these
proceedings.
The next subchapter I'm covering is called "War Council"
Q. Are you strongly suggesting a conference
with legal counsel before marriage?
A. Absolutely. Before making large investments,
most people consult outside sources
and do some checking. In real estate, for
example, they will get title searches and purchase
insurance along with reviewing easements
and zoning restrictions. But a man who
gets his neck bent to marry, the biggest financial
decision of his life, rarely consults anyone.
He charges out and slam! He's married.
Does this sound like a rational, clear thinking
individual, a man with all his oars in the
water? Of course not. This is another victim
of the predatory female. The wasp is setting
up housekeeping on the back of the host
body. The camel is now completely inside the
tent.
The next subchapter I'm covering is called "Business License"
Q. Does marriage require a license?
A. Almost any dangerous act, potentially
hazardous to individuals and involving the
government, requires a license. Of course
there is a fee. The license officially invites the
state into your relationship with the bride and
obligates you to a plethora of responsibilities,
much of which is not understood even by
experts. This results in a tidal wave of daily
litigation across the nation.
Q. Where are the licenses sold?
A. They are usually sold at courthouses because
it's convenient for the state and helps
familiarize you with the building that may become
your second home during your divorce.
More than half of the licensees return as dissolvees
within a few years.
Q. Are there any requirements for the
license?
A. Generally you pay the fee and present
evidence of a blood test. You volunteer to
become a human pin cushion for some state
recognized physician. In the name of the
state, he draws your blood. This ritual, reeking
with symbolism, is one of the last subtle
warnings to the prospective groom. It invariably
goes unappreciated.
