Is it financially worth it to get married?

distinctd

I'm after some general advice...

From a financial point of view, is it worth getting married? Could anyone give a basic summary of any financial benefits gained from doing it? We're looking to buy a house soon and this is one thing to make a decision on before we do.

We morally object to marriage but would reluctantly do it if there's good reasons to do it since we want the same opportunities as people that don't have a problem with the whole thing.

Wedding budget, planning etc advice is not needed, we'll basically be paying the minimum to go and sign some papers.

notanewuser

distinctd wrote: »

I'm after some general advice...

From a financial point of view, is it worth getting married? Could anyone give a basic summary of any financial benefits gained from doing it? We're looking to buy a house soon and this is one thing to make a decision on before we do.

We morally object to marriage but would reluctantly do it if there's good reasons to do it since we want the same opportunities as people that don't have a problem with the whole thing.

Wedding budget, planning etc advice is not needed, we'll basically be paying the minimum to go and sign some papers.

There are legal benefits but no financial benefits.

distinctd

Any brief pointers as to what legal benefits? I can look into details myself, just every time I try to search for some kind of summary relating to this I just get millions of results for yucky wedding planning stuff.

POPPYOSCAR

There are potential financial benefits.

http://www.money.co.uk/article/1005128-does-being-married-make-a-difference-to-your-finances.htm

lazer

Yes its financially worth it

If you want the legal benefits of getting married without getting married the cost of solicitors etc will be more than the cost of getting married (Registry office , couple and 2 witnesses, giving notice, and certifcates prob costs around £200 - or even less in a church as some churches will marry their members for free (mine would), - so it just giving notice, getting the schedule (£30 each from memory), and receiving the certificate (£8 per certificate)

What do you gain from marriage:

Most importantly - next of kin rights (How much does it cost to get a solicitor to draw up agreements to get this?

Inheritance tax benefits - everything is passed to partner tax free, and if children involved inheritance can be spilt part from father, part from mother.

Marriage gives the weaker person financial security - as generally if a marriage ends assets are spilt 50/50 - whereas in unmarried each will walk away with whatever is in their own name.

Try this website to explain the differences in Living together and getting married

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/relationships_e/relationships_living_together_marriage_and_civil_partnership_e/living_together_and_marriage_legal_differences.htm

If you intend to have children then consider parental responsibility.

distinctd

Thanks to both of you for those links, I'll have a read through it all

£200 seems a lot for what it is but I can see how it could easily cost more in fees for arranging other things. Church isn't really an option, I'm not into ceremony and tradition, I'd rather just pay a bit more to avoid more ceremonial silliness, plus, I doubt they'd appreciate people turning up to get married in jeans and tshirt :rotfl:

74jax

Have you considered a registry office, I 'think' the fee for this is under £50, and £3.50 for a certificate and £33 to give notice. you can certainly get married in jeans there.

distinctd

Yes that was the intention, looking into it, I think lazer is right, it seems closer to £200 although it's a bit confusing, I'll go in and ask them what the minimum cost is, whatever it is I don't think there's a cheaper option than the registry office?

daisiegg

Just out of interest why do you 'morally object' to marriage?

distinctd

I'm not really here to discuss my opinions as they're not likely to be compatible with most people's and I don't want to upset people, so considering this is just my opinion and everyone is entitled to their own...

Old fashioned, ritualistic, sexist, discriminatory and the most relevant to the modern version of it - materialistic and controlling, I do not need any church or any state to approve my relationship status, I am a free and independent human being nor do I need to express my private relationship to others with material items, expensive events etc.

trinity_enigma

Just out of interest do you not think its morally wrong to go against your morals purely for financial gain?

That is honestly not meant in a horrible way I'm actually just intrigued.