Title

The American "Covenant Marriage" in the Conflict of Laws

Abstract

Three states have adopted covenant marriage legislation, with similar bills pending in others. They seek a greater commitment of the spouses-to-be and mkake divorce more difficult. At the same time, other forms of partnerships are proposed in other states. To what extent can covenant-marriage legislate assure that it will be given in other states (interstate) or internationally? The suggested answer is: the divorcing U.S. forum applies its own law (covenant-law or non-covenant law), some foreign systems will apply the parties' home law (thus recognizing restrictions when a U.S. sister state would not).

Disciplines

Conflict of Laws

Date of this Version

September 2003