WE'RE GOING FOR IT AGAIN IN 2024 AND NEED YOUR SUPPORT NOW!

THE MARRIAGE EDUCATION ACT

RAISES THE FEE FOR A MARRIAGE LICENSE TO $500…

…AND WAIVES IT ENTIRELY FOR COUPLES WHO COMPLETE MARRIAGE EDUCATION!

It amends marriage license laws such that a marriage license be treated as most licenses a state issues and held to a minimal level of required education - in this case "held" meaning cost prohibitive not to do - administered by a variety of independent 3rd party providers with the freedom to teach per their respective ideologies.

WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT NOW!

IS THIS WHAT YOU’RE THINKING?

  • YOU’RE CREATING AN OBSTACLE TO MARRIAGE!

    Marriage rates are at an all-time low and trending lower, in part because of the failure rate over the past forty years. If a smaller group of people become a more successful group, then more people will want to become a part of this group again. It’s akin to repopulating a species on the brink of extinction rather than letting it become extinct! Ten states already see the value of marriage education, BECAUSE IT WORKS, and offer a discount on the license fee, however, in as much as the average marriage license fee is $49, a discount has not been persuasive.

  • I DON'T WANT THE GOVERNMENT IN MARRIAGE!

    The government is already involved in over half of all marriages – through divorce - and at tremendous cost to taxpayers! Government is also intimately involved in the breakup of unmarried couples with children and these relationships dissolve at even higher rates. There are a variety of ways government is involved, at taxpayer expense, in intact marriages that are not as healthy as they could be. With The MEA, government will merely be a record keeper. Education will be privately taught, thereby competition will drive the cost down, and government’s involvement in marriage will ultimately be reduced!

  • WHAT IF SOMEONE CAN'T AFFORD EDUCATION?

    Let’s say education costs $25 per hour per couple….$200 for 8 hours. If three of ten couples opt out and pay the fee, then the $1,500 these three pay in, can pay the $1,400 for seven couples with $100 left over for administrative fees. Whether this scenario or another, a system can be devised such that the cost of education will not be much more than the license would have otherwise cost. Private organizations can also offer Scholarships. Theoretically, something is expensive because it has tremendous value. Therefore, if the Marriage License is to be valuable, then its cost must reflect this, as long as there is a way for all to afford such cost.

WE TRIED IN 2014…AND DID NOT SUCCEED.

We had explored the idea of a ballot initiative and as 2014 began, while many resolved to go the gym, we tried in Colorado because we were very late to the game so to speak, and their process provided the most efficient path. Upon taking the first step of a long difficult process, The Denver Post ran a story, and from our perspective; a portion of the factual substance of the article was inaccurate. This gained the attention of national news outlets and set off a wave of coverage, which despite a clear understanding of details, affirmed the problem and showed continued dialogue can yield a strengthening of marriage. As is not uncommon, the initiative was withdrawn with the hope to try again with lessons learned. WATCH EXCITING PRESS COVERAGE…

WE'RE GOING FOR IT AGAIN IN 2024 AND NEED YOUR SUPPORT NOW!

Not quitting is a cornerstone of who we are, and so we are not quitting!  In 2014, the license fee was not raised, and education was mandatory.  Now, in 2024, we’ve raised the license fee and made education voluntary.  In 2014, we were late to the game.  In 2024, we’re starting two years in advance.  Votes - Names, are what elected officials listen to so the only way we get their attention is for you to sign the petition now as well as spread the word right now.   We have a big presidential election coming up.  Let’s make an issue of that which negatively affects over half our nation’s children!  Let’s be heard! SIGN THE PETITION…SPREAD THE WORD…

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ACT 

TELL ME ABOUT THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS?

Each spouse must complete a minimum of 8 hours of marriage education.

Courses can be taken in a classroom/ lecture, through self-study, or online.

Extensions of time would be granted for a military deployment or a medically necessary situation.

Re-marrying widows are considered a first marriage as they will likely be marrying in a different season of life and will also be an asset to a class.

A tax credit would be given for married couples voluntarily completing continuing education!

WHO WILL TEACH THE COURSE?

3rd party providers such as Faith-Based organizations and institutions as well as other ideologically differing non-profit organizations - based on a State Board of Marriage and Family Therapists developing and maintaining a course approval process as well as a process to limit the cost to consumers.

3rd party providers would scholarship education for people who can’t afford the course fee.

The State Board would contract with their states private Association of Marriage & Family Therapists to develop and maintain a broadly outlined core curriculum addressing everyday marriage issues including money, health, family, communication, intimacy, unmet expectations, conflict resolution, domestic violence, and the effects of divorce on children and adults. Course providers can freely teach as well as add to the curriculum. Only attendance will be graded.

The state is essentially a facilitator / middleman to private education.

WHAT WILL THIS COST TAXPAYERS?

In as much as 3rd party course providers would pay the state a fee for course approval as well as scholarship those who can’t afford the course fee, it is estimated there will be no extra cost to the state.

FULL SEGMENTS OF NEWS COVERAGE:

See full versions of the news coverage segments including those from The Today Show and NBC Knoxville.

BENEFITS OF THE ACT 

HOW WILL THIS BENEFIT ADULTS?

The MEA will better prepare couples for success. With the divorce rate for 1st marriages 50%, for 2nd marriages 67% and for 3rd marriages 73%, people are scared to get married – and they want to do it right if they do. By making changes on the front end of marriage, we can prevent the lifelong effects of divorce on the back end.

HOW WILL THIS BENEFIT CHILDREN?

As it stands today, children of divorce have higher rates of drug & alcohol use, depression, anxiety, teen pregnancy, and teen suicide. The MEA can only lessen these incidences and if it prevents one child from experiencing the tragic event of his/her family being split apart, it is worth it.

HOW WILL THIS BENEFIT TAXPAYERS?

It is further estimated the MEA will reduce the number of divorces thus reducing taxpayer cost of family fragmentation which is estimated to be $112 to $150 Billion dollars each year for filed dissolutions, domestic violence, the cost of broken families financially supported by the state, and all other current government spending on marriage programs.

HOW WILL THIS BENEFIT AMERICA?

With its guiding principle that education is the key to success in everything, the MEA would amend marriage license laws such that a marriage license be treated as any other license and held to a minimal level of required education so as to better prepare individuals going into a marriage to fulfill their new roles as spouse and potentially as parent, to furthermore protect children given that marriage is the foundation of a family unit, and to reduce the billions of dollars taxpayers spend annually on divorce.

WE'RE GOING FOR IT AGAIN IN 2024 AND NEED YOUR SUPPORT NOW!

Not quitting is a cornerstone of who we are, and so we are not quitting!  In 2014, the license fee was not raised, and education was mandatory.  Now, in 2024, we’ve raised the license fee and made education voluntary.  In 2014, we were late to the game.  In 2024, we’re starting two years in advance.  Votes - Names, are what elected officials listen to so the only way we get their attention is for you to sign the petition now as well as spread the word right now.   We have a big presidential election coming up.  Let’s make an issue of that which negatively affects over half our nation’s children!  Let’s be heard! SIGN THE PETITION…SPREAD THE WORD…