Reply to Why do people feel the need to get married if they don't want to have children?

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Reply to "Why do people feel the need to get married if they don't want to have children?"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Tax reasons.
Health insurance coverages.
[b]Being legal next of kinninnhealth emergencies so the hospital isn't trying to call a parent while life partner is right there.[/b] 
Romance.
I never wanted kids. DH wasn't much interested and happy to go along with no kids. 43 years later we are both happy. [/quote]

New poster and addressing just the bold above: Another PP who said "but don't you already have most of this" on this list, without marriage, is wrong. That person said to make the partner/GF an "emergency contact." For anyone who thinks that an "emergency contact" gets to make medical decisions on your behalf, you are wrong.

If you were incapacitated -- and yes, OP, it could happen to you at 28 years old, or at any time -- and if you want your partner and not your LEGAL next of kin like parents or siblings to call the shots with doctors, you must have a legal arrangement clearly designating who gets to make those choices for you.

That legal arrangement can be marriage. Or it can be a power of attorney document plus a medical directive document, with the partner given authority. But do not ever assume that the person you're dating or even living with, even for years, is automatically going to be given information about you or allowed to make any choices for you. Too many people take this for granted. You don't always luck out and have parents who say, oh, let his girlfirend advise the doctors, she knows him best.

I'm always amazed how many people don't get this. Being young is no excuse for not understanding it. Don't want to marry, but also don't want your parents or siblings getting to decide your treatment if you cannot? See a lawyer and get a POA/medical directive both drawn up and ensure your partner is on board about what you'd want. These documents are cheap and fast to get done.  
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