- One or both might still be married to someone else.
If one or the other married, they might lose their alimony or a deceased spouse's benefits.
They are related to each other and live in one of the states that have consanguinity laws. One half of the states prohibit the marriage of first cousins. Some states also prohibit the marriage of a step-parent and a child, or an in-law and a child. But marriage among cousins is extremely common among immigrant groups.
One or both accept polygamy and don't wish to separate from their legal spouse.
Both have adult children from previous marriages and don't want to do anything to change the line of inheritance for wealth for their children, and prefer to take care of their partner in other ways.
They are different religions and can't come to an agreement and don't want to upset their parents.
They look down on the other's ethnicity or cultural group and don't want the association (Korean/Japanese or different first nations group or Sharia/Sunni).
They've been through a nasty divorce several times and have completely soured on the idea of marriage, but not relationships.
They are very close to former in-laws and don't wish to bring in a "new" spouse to the relationship mix.
Their place of employment has nepotism rules and one would lose a job or be transferred if they were married.
The Tax Treatment of Domestic Partner Benefits - NYTimes.com
New Benefits for Same-Sex Partners - NYTimes.com
Health Benefits: Dependent Certification - Benefits - The Ohio State University
So how long before the federal government, corporations and universities decide to be fair to straight, shacking-up couples?
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1 comment:
Canada approved gay marriage in 2005 and now multiple conjugal relationships, polyamory, is working up some steam in the courts. Imagine the mess with benefits if serial relationships had to be recognized by employers.
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