quote:
Originally posted by Cowgirl Jack:

...(Does anyone know in detail the good/bad things about legal marriages? I'd like to learn more.)
Oh boy! There are a whole lotta legal benefits to marriage (numbering over 1000) but a few are...
  • joint parenting, adoption, visitation, foster care, custody, etc.
  • status as next-of-kin for hospital visits and medical decisions where one partner is too ill to be competent
  • joint insurance policies (home, health, etc)
  • inheritance rights (in the absence of a will)
  • dissolution and divorce protections such as community property and child support
  • annuities, pension plans, Social Security, and Medicare
  • immigration and residency for partners from other countries
  • veterans' discounts on medical care, education, and home loans; joint filing of tax returns
  • joint filing of customs claims when traveling
  • wrongful death benefits for a surviving partner and children
  • bereavement or sick leave to care for a partner or child
  • decision-making power with remains of deceased partner
  • crime victims' recovery benefits
  • blah, blah, blah

Any of these can also be considered a negative, given the right (or wrong) situation.