Feature Article: Understanding Covenant Marriage in Arizona
Marriage is a sacred union between two individuals who pledge to love and cherish each other for life. However, the divorce rates across the globe are increasing at an alarming rate. To combat this trend, many states including Arizona have introduced the idea of a covenant marriage. Despite having been introduced in 1998, not many people are familiar with the idea of covenant marriage or its implications. In this article, we will explore what a covenant marriage entails and the effect it has on the couples bound in it.
What is a Covenant Marriage?
A covenant marriage is a legally binding agreement that is entered into by two individuals who wish to get married. It is a voluntary agreement that couples can enter into at the time of their marriage or later during the tenure of their marriage. Unlike traditional marriages, a covenant marriage comes with additional restrictions and requirements. These include premarital counseling that imposes stringent requirements and guidelines as to what can lead to a termination of the marriage.
Implications of a Covenant Marriage
The essence of a covenant marriage is to uphold the sanctity of marriage and prevent divorces. For this reason, a covenant marriage has several restrictions and conditions that married couples must adhere to if they choose to go down that path. Firstly, the validity of a covenant marriage requires couples to attend premarital counseling that touches on the significance of marriage and how to deal with challenges that may arise in the union. Failure to attend this counseling can result in the nullification of the marriage.
Secondly, spouses in a covenant marriage can only file for divorce on certain grounds, such as adultery, physical or sexual abuse, among others. If there are no grounds based on these conditions, the couple has to take steps to dissolve the marriage, including separating for a minimum period of one year or attending more counseling sessions to resolve issues in the marriage.
The Benefits and Disadvantages of Covenant Marriage
A covenant marriage has both benefits and disadvantages. Some of the benefits include that the couple commits to working on the marriage in the face of adversity. This commitment can result in stronger relationships. Additionally, if a divorce has to occur, the process is more structured, as there are limited grounds for divorce, making the divorce less adversarial.
On the other hand, the disadvantages include the need to adhere to stringent requirements that can hamper the couple's freedom. Additionally, in the case of a divorce, the limited grounds can be disadvantageous as the spouse may feel trapped in an abusive marriage with nowhere to turn.
Conclusion
A covenant marriage is a binding agreement that has additional restrictions and requirements that married couples must adhere to. The idea behind a covenant marriage is to uphold the sanctity of marriage and to prevent divorces. It is a voluntary agreement that couples can enter into during or before their marriage. While it has benefits such as the commitment to work together to strengthen the relationship, it also has disadvantages such as hampering freedom and trapping a spouse in an abusive relationship. In conclusion, a covenant marriage in Arizona is an agreement to be taken seriously and should be well thought out before entering into it.
covenant marriage in Arizona
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