Remarriage Rates

[Pursuinghappiness]

US remarriage rate plunges- The Heart Beat - MSN Living

So why the gradual but drastic drop? Clearly, the decline in the remarriage rate echoes the overall decline in the marriage rate. But sociologist Susan Brown, who led the analysis, also pointed to cohabitation:
"Cohabitation has opened up options for people that weren't there 20 years ago. It affords the benefits of marriage without the legal constraints."

I'm not sure about the U.S. laws for dissolution of commonlaw relationships but in Canada its definitely something cohabiting couples have to consider.

In general, marriage rates are falling for 1st and subsequent marriages and the trend will continue.

[shellshocked22]

No doubt that common law is now quite acceptable socially.

HOWEVER, with the possible exception of Quebec, common law is till quite dangerous financially to the higher income earner. The lesser earning partner can STILL....

-go after half the difference in CPP credits for years together

-go after child support (in loco parentis).

-possibly go after assets including home (if they can prove "unjust enrichment").

-still go after spousal support

Never mind the fact that the government can change the rules at will at any time - for example in BC now any common law couple after 2 years of cohabitation I believe is the SAME as "married" as far as Family Law goes. Even pre-nups are not "bullet proof" as liberal bleeding heart judges can over ride them.

The "safety" in common law vs married is getting to be very slim nowadays.

Best to simply date and keep your own place.... (assuming you want to KEEP you own place lol....)

[Mess]

"Cohabitation has opened up options for people that weren't there 20 years ago. It affords the benefits of marriage without the legal constraints."

... because we all know that it was not possible to cohabitate 20 years ago.