Covenant Marriage not yet dead in Mississippi Legislature
Covenant Marriage re-introduced in new Senate amendment
During this legislative session, the idea of a new form of marriage, “covenant marriage,” was introduced. In the “covenant marriage,” the couple agrees to undergo premartial counseling before applying for a marriage license. O.K., not a bad idea so far. But here is the kicker. By entering into a “covenant marriage,” you agree to modify your rights to get divorced.
As currently proposed, if you entered into a covenant marriage and then later chose to divorce, your complaint for divorce must be on file for one year before you can get divorced as opposed to the normal sixty-day waiting period. Further, during this one-year waiting period, you and your spouse are required to attend marriage counseling in an attempt to resurrect your marriage. Again, nothing wrong with marriage counseling as long as both parties believe there is a chance to make their marriage survive. The problem is forcing couples to undergo one-year of marriage counseling before they divorce.
The good thing is the latest version of the “covenant marriage” bill does not contain the earlier provision that did away with irreconcilable divorces and many fault provisions, providing only two grounds for divorce—adultery and desertion. Download original bill here
So you might ask: Why would anyone enter into a “covenant marriage?” Does it make you a better couple or make your marriage better? No. The fact is that all it does is put the focus on counseling, albeit a bit compulsory. Again, premarital counseling and marriage counseling are good tools. Both allow parties to identify issues and attempt to work through issues before they arise or fix those that may have damaged the relationship. I’m just not a fan of our government telling me I have to do it. So, you don’t. Just don’t enter into a covenant marriage if this bill should finally become law.
By the way, where was the bill that required all parents going through a divorce to go through parenting classes to minimize the impact on children in a divorce? If counseling is mandated, maybe the focus should be on protecting those who did not voluntarily enter into the marital relationship—the children.
