I suppose the first thing that comes to mind are the horror stories I’ve heard about what can happen when a loved one is hospitalized and you’re not their legal spouse. Your loved ones’ estranged parents might be making medical decisions on their behalf and you could be entirely cut off from visiting or even know what’s going on health wise with them. There are the other legal benefits that come with marriage including tax breaks, inheritance, and community assets. You can set up some of this with things like power of attorney and a solid will, but why not just get married instead?
Speaking as a gay person, we had and have each other’s powers of attorney for those fun times when the hospital doesn’t acknowledge our marriage or the rights that come with it. This is to say that there are ways to set this up. I hold certain powers for a married family member with no children, though a different family member would otherwise be next in the decision-making sequence. Even though we’re married, my wife and I have legally identified survivorship status. Our wills are explicit, our advance directives are very explicit.
I have friends on disability (like, parapalegic) who didn’t marry because they’d lose their benefits.
>>tax breaks Tax breaks for unmarried people, or no incentives for married people, would be sporting.
That’s why people do get married. I have no problem understanding that very basic concept. I was explaining why they don’t which is equally simplistic even if it’s not your preference.
Its why my ex and I didnt marry. He thought he’d lose his s.s.