Single or married?

[Bathsheba]

I’ve been married just the once, to the same fellah for 50 years. Not even had any time off for good behaviour

[Meg]

Happily single a situation that is vastly underrated…

I was widowed in 1984, not an experience I wished to repeat and having had a really horrible step parent myself I had no intention of inflicting anything similar on my small son so I decided to stay single and independent.

[Baz46]

@Bathsheba

Not even had any time off for good behaviour

Perhaps you just haven’t been good enough to deserve it!

[Meg]

@Baz46

Perhaps you just haven’t been good enough to deserve it!

@Baz46 Cheeky boy

[Baz46]

@Meg

@Baz46 Cheeky boy

Yes, I know, nothing wrong with a bit of banter though!

[Percy_Vere]

@Bratti

common law is still legally binding

Sorry Bratti - In the UK this begs to differ - Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a ‘common law marriage’. . Obviously, I don’t know what the legal situation is in Canada.

V and I have been married for 32 years this December coming - that’s 15 years longer than my 1st marriage.

[MargaretF]

Married for ten years, divorced, married for 40 years and still going strong.

[Bathsheba]

@Baz46

@Bathsheba

Not even had any time off for good behaviour

Perhaps you just haven’t been good enough to deserve it!

I’ll have you know I’ve been the absolute epitome of the perfect wife. I’ve also got a first class honours degree in lying

[The_Artful_Todger]

Me? I’ve lost number of how many wives that I’ve had. Only one was mine though!

[Besoeker]

@Bratti

I wasn’t really serious. I’m mainly thinking of celebrities like Elizabeth Taylor who married something like 7 times

Many people frown on divorce. I’m not one of them. Someone I’m very close to was in a relationship where her husband kept a mistress while sleeping with her. She left him. Most of her family didn’t talk to her for years because of it. They are religious and don’t believe in divorce.

I personally have such respect for her. She has an excellent career, bought her own house and raised their children single handedly.

I’m in support of anyone divorcing their partner if there is abuse of any kind including infidelity.

I agree. Actually, it was my ex-wife who divorced me. The marriage was shot but my concern was just for the children. But she decided to proceed. My solicitor commented that it was very weak action and I could have very easily defended. But why would one? In the event she procrastinated for six years.

[Fruitcake]

I have been happily married to my Lovely Cousin for over thirty eight years, which coincidentally is exactly the same length of time she has been married to me.

[Bratti]

@Percy_Vere

Sorry Bratti - In the UK this begs to differ - Contrary to popular belief, there is no such thing as a ‘common law marriage’. . Obviously, I don’t know what the legal situation is in Canada.

Here in Canada, ‘common law marriage’ is when you live your life with a partner that resembles marriage for 2 to 3 years depending on which province you live in.

What does this mean? It means that if you ever break up, you get equal rights to finances, possibly property owned, pension, employment benefits etc. Owning a house, can be a bit tricky if your name isn’t on the mortgage however it is still considered in the ‘common law marriage.’

I’m legally allowed to use either my husbands last name, my own last name or both.

We have been together for 32 years. I certainly consider it a marriage.

[Bratti]

@Besoeker

I agree. Actually, it was my ex-wife who divorced me. The marriage was shot but my concern was just for the children. But she decided to proceed. My solicitor commented that it was very weak action and I could have very easily defended. But why would one? In the event she procrastinated for six years.

I’m sorry you had to go through this.
It must be really difficult especially having children in the family. It seems you handled it well

[Baz46]

@Bratti

What does this mean? It means that if you ever break up, you get equal rights to finances, possibly property owned, pension, employment benefits etc. Owning a house, can be a bit tricky if your name isn’t on the mortgage however it is still considered in the ‘common law marriage.’

In the UK it’s almost totally the opposite of what you wrote. Unless a legal Will is made then a partner in a ‘common law marriage’ could lose rights to inheritance. Far different from a married partner who automatically inherits property on the demise of their married husband or wife.

The link below gives details:

Living together and marriage: legal differences

[Mags]

Married……

[Bratti]

@Baz46

In the UK it’s almost totally the opposite of what you wrote. Unless a legal Will is made then a partner in a ‘common law marriage’ could lose rights to inheritance. Far different from a married partner who automatically inherits property on the demise of their married husband or wife.

Yes. Sorry if I misled you. In Canada a spouse has to have a will in order for their common law spouse to claim an inheritance. We have that covered. Plus both our names are on the mortgage since we both bought the homes together.

So technically our laws our similar. If it isn’t in writing then if a common law spouse dies, the partner doesn’t automatically inherit anything.
It can however be fought in court in extenuating circumstances

[susiejaeger]

Married will be 39 years in September.

[Bratti]

You know, if I was smart I would have just said ‘married’ but nooooo ……

[Artangel]

I am single and love my freedom. I did 30 years of marriage and 10 years of living with someone.
These days, l am free and get lots of boyfriends!
I am having the best time and no shackles!!

[Tezza]

56 years and still going strong.