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Legal issues discussion

D

DeathIsNotTheEnd

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Hi all

I noticed the 'legal' page has not been updated on the main site in quite some time. At least, not since I joined about a year and a half ago.

As things go along, I'm curious to re-open this discussion. I've been so focused on relational stuff, like getting the first wife on board and so on, that now that things have quieted down I'm realizing that there is a lot I haven't really thought through, and would like advice on.

So topics that I was mentioning to Andrew recently that I'd be interested in hearing ideas on:

Names and reference. Probably the one foremost in my mind. To me, my wife being able to tell a guy hitting on her that she is married, or me being able to introduce my wife as my wife, is really important. But I also don't want to pointlessly court danger either...

Etc.
 
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At the risk of stating the obvious, a lot will be state by state dependent. But once you drill down the relevant legal questions, those determinations can be made.
 
EternalDreamer said:
am I endangering her of prison if I call her my wife
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No one will be punishing women for polygamy. Ever. Not under any scenario. Not even a consideration in our society. We won't even consider punishing them for murdering their child. Look at the Mormons, it was only ever the men who were punished. Bigamy falls on the man. Now in some states she could get ensnared in a adultery charge, but those are not even enforced against men these days; much less women.

Let me see if I can do a breakdown of the various legal issues here...

1. Naming: What to call her and her you so that the husband doesn't run afoul of bigamy laws or common law marriage laws (in a few select states). Can she take your name? What about the kids last name?

2. Legacy laws (related to 1): cohabitation prohibitions, adultery, bigamy, federal laws?

3. Day to day financials: Bank accounts, income tax filings, welfare, asset ownership, prenups/cohabitation agreement/lease agreement, palimony/cohabitation rights, etc.

4. Legal powers: power of attorney (medical, legal), child custody, living wills, etc.

5. End of life issues: social security, military benefits, life & health insurance coverage, estate issues (inheritance, etc), custody of children after husband passes, residency of wives after husband passes

6. When things go to hell: Hospitalization, Domestic Violence Calls, Protection orders, Child Protection Services, Grandparent rights, etc (spare me the he has it coming high and mighty bs, these are often problems for men and families who are completely innocent and being innocent won't help you)

7. Breakup issues (related to 3&6): assets, child custody, etc.

I can give some thoughts on many of those, others I have my own questions, but that's a breakdown of the various issues as I see them. But ya, you were only scratching the surface of the complexities here.
 
Exactly. Yes.
All that stuff lol.

I do believe that God is capable of working through all that stuff. But I also believe He calls us to be wise and well-prepared! Thank you for the good breakdown, you listed some I hadnt considered like grandparents rights).
 
My quick thoughts on these:
EternalDreamer said:
1. Names and reference. Probably the one foremost in my mind. To me, my wife being able to tell a guy hitting on her that she is married, or me being able to introduce my wife as my wife, is really important. But I also don't want to pointlessly court danger either...

2. Living together and physical intimacy. I don't want to hide my family away, or sneak around and pretend not to go home to a second or third wife. I don't want to be unable to hold hands or kiss goodbye or whatever in front of others. But again, I don't want to throw myself to the wolves.

3. Money and finances. I haven't even looked in to this but...is it possible to make a joint account with someone who is not a blood relative or spouse? If I'm at a restaurant and pay with a card with my wife's name on it, is someone from IRS going to hunt me down? o_O
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  1. Not a problem at all, in almost all of the world. The only exception being a handful of US states: Utah, Texas, and maybe one other?, where it is considered bigamy to "purport to be married" to someone in addition to your spouse. These laws were enacted solely to persecute Mormon polygamy, so are very unusual. In most of the world, it doesn't matter whether you call her your wife, it's only illegal to actually obtain two simultaneous marriage licences. But check your local laws to be sure.
  2. No law against this anywhere I'm aware of.
  3. Businesses, charities, clubs etc make joint accounts with several signatories all the time. I had a joint bank account for a flat once, all flatmates were signatories. Again this is easy.
 
I can't speak on the legal issues except to say that, as far as I have been able to determine; if your wives don't kick up any fuss, the authorities aren't concerned. Don't attract unnecessary attention. Getting additional credit cards, etc. isn't an issue in most countries.
 
FollowingHim said:
No law against this anywhere I'm aware of.
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In several states cohabitation with someone not your wife is considered adultery, bigamy or the like. So it can be an issue, in theory. But in actuality these laws are rarely enforced and that usually when a breakup occurs. But given failure rates, said breakup needs to be something planned for.
 
rockfox said:
In several states cohabitation with someone not your wife is considered adultery, bigamy or the like. So it can be an issue, in theory. But in actuality these laws are rarely enforced and that usually when a breakup occurs. But given failure rates, said breakup needs to be something planned for.
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Best way to avoid that is to not get any state marriage licence in the first place - but it's too late for that for most of us. Good advice for our children though.
 
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