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The primary established form of marriage recognized in a given country or religious or social group at a given time.

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A civil union is a legal arrangement, which two people can voluntarily enter into, that gives them many of the same rights and privileges as marriage.

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Three states recognize common law marriages? 

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Three states recognize common law marriages? 

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Alabama , Colorado and Columbia.

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A legally recognized marriage between two people who have not purchased a marriage license or had their marriage solemnized by a ceremony.

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What are three things that can not be covered in a prenuptial agreement?

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What are three things that can not be covered in a prenuptial agreement?

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Child custody, child support, and provisions that violate the law.

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In Louisiana, If you don’t have a prenuptial agreement and your divorce, how are things divided up?

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In Louisiana, If you don’t have a prenuptial agreement and your divorce, how are things divided up?

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And when a couple gets divorced in Louisiana, the judge will divide their community property equally, unless the spouses have agreed to a different way of splitting up their assets and debts. But each spouse will keep their own separate property.

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What three things can be covered in a prenuptial agreement?

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What three things can be covered in a prenuptial agreement?

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Protections Against the Other Spouse's Debts, protections to keep family property in the family, protections for estate plans.

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A prenuptial agreement, commonly known as a prenup or premarital agreement, is a legally binding contract signed by a couple before marriage, specifying how their assets, debts, and spousal support will be handled in the event of divorce or death.

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Explain the main difference between traditional and covenant marriages?

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Explain the main difference between traditional and covenant marriages?

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A covenant marriage in Louisiana differs from a regular marriage mainly in its requirements for premarital counseling, the commitment to making the marriage lifelong, and stricter grounds for divorce.

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Are common law marriages valid in all 50 states? Why or why not?

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Are common law marriages valid in all 50 states? Why or why not?

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Not all states have statutes addressing common law marriage. In some states case law and public policy determine validity.

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1) Residency Requirements: Your are married and have lived in maine for 6 months or longer

2) Waiting Period:60 days

3) Can a spouse get spousal support?: You must ask for spousal support now; you cannot come back to the court later, after your divorce, to ask for it.

4) Defenses to a Divorce Filing:Reconciliation

5) "At Fault: Grounds for Divorce:Adultery, impotence, or extreme cruelty

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A Guide to Divorce Laws in Maine | The Maine Divorce Group

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Our divorce Attorneys will help you understand Maine’s complex divorce laws and the effects it’ll have on family, property and marital assets.

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1) Where to Apply:Municipal clerk

2) What three things do you have to have to get a marriage license other than the money:-photo id -both parties must sign - drivers license

3) Residency – yes or no: You don’t have to be a resident

4) Waiting Period: No waiting period

5) Expiration:Within 90 days

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Maine.gov - Official site includes links to services available online, Governor, state agencies, Legislature, US Congressional delegation, state parks, and tax information.

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How to Get Married in Maine: Detailed Instructions - A Sweet Start

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Instructions and detailed information you won’t find anywhere else on how to get married in Maine.

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File For Divorce Online in Maine | DivorceBob

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Divorce

Divorce is the legal process of ending a marriage. You can file for divorce in Maine if:

You are married and have lived in Maine for 6 months or longer; or

You are a Maine resident and were married in Maine; or

You are a Maine resident and were living in Maine when the cause of divorce arose;
or

Your spouse is a Maine resident.

Maine law requires a minimum 60-day waiting period between the filing of all the necessary divorce paperwork and the final hearing. See more information about filing for a divorce.

Parental Rights and Responsibilities

If you and your child's other parent are NOT married and you want to establish each of your individual parental rights and responsibilities, you should file a Parental Rights & Responsibilities complaint (see Parental Rights & Responsibilities Cases), NOT a divorce complaint. See more information about Parental Rights and Responsibilities.

Do I need a lawyer?

Many people do not hire lawyers when getting divorced or establishing parental rights and responsibilities. However, if you are able, you may want to talk to a lawyer about the process. See the Legal Help page for more information.

This is especially important if:

You and your spouse disagree about decisions affecting your children;

You and your spouse have complicated property, financial, or real estate issues; or

There is a history or threat of domestic violence in the household.

If you have a question about a divorce or Parental Rights & Responsibilities case, you may be able to get free legal advice from a family law attorney through the VLP's Courthouse Assistance Projects (CHAPs). More information about CHAPs, including hours, eligibility, and an intake phone number, can be found on the VLP website here: www.vlp.org/about/#family.

Court process

For more information on the procedural steps, court forms you will need, and how your case will proceed through the court, see the Court Process in a Family Matters Case page.

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Divorce and Family Separation: Maine Judicial Branch

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Divorce is the legal process of ending a marriage. You can file for divorce in Maine if: You are married and have lived in Maine for 6 months or longer; or You are a Maine resident and were married in Maine; or You are a Maine resident and were living in Maine when the cause of divorce arose; or Your spouse is a Maine resident.

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A divorce or dissolution of marriage is a decree by a court that a valid marriage no longer exists. It leaves both parties free to remarry. The court may divide property and order spousal support, and, if children are involved, award custody and child support.

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What is the divorce rate in the United States?

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What is the divorce rate in the United States?

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According to the American Psychological Association, approximately 40-50% of first marriages end in divorce.

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What Does “Best Interest of the Child” Mean?

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What Does “Best Interest of the Child” Mean?

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Convention on the Rights of the Child states that the best interests of the child shall be a primary consideration in all actions concerning children

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What Happens if the Custodial Parent Dies?

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What Happens if the Custodial Parent Dies?

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In general, if one of a child's biological parents passes away before that child turns 18, that child's other biological parent will be granted custody until the child's 18th—or in some cases, 21st—birthday.

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What happens if a parent refuses to pay child support in Louisiana ? 

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What happens if a parent refuses to pay child support in Louisiana ? 

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Not paying child support can result in a contempt charge.

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What are three common legal issues with child support?

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What are three common legal issues with child support?

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1. Enforcement

2. Jurisdiction over child support issues

3. Differences in cost of living

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What Rights Does Legal Custody and Physical Custody Give to a Parent?

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What Rights Does Legal Custody and Physical Custody Give to a Parent?

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Physical custody (now called “primary custody” in some instances) indicates where the children live the majority of the time. Legal custody indicates the ability of parents to make decisions about the child, have access to school and medical records, etc.

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In Louisiana, Can the Custodial Parent Move to Another State With the Child? If yes, how far? Explain why.

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In Louisiana, Can the Custodial Parent Move to Another State With the Child? If yes, how far? Explain why.

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Louisiana parents with custody of their children cannot move more than 75 miles away from the other parent following a divorce without a court order.