Covenant Marriage: The Movement to Reclaim Tradition in America

Appendix C: Forms and Documents for Covenant Marriage

169 Appendix C: Forms and Documents for Covenant Marriage I. AFFIDAVIT COVENANT MARRIAGE AFFIDAVIT (For use by engaged couples entering into a Covenant Marriage) STATE OF LOUISIANA PARISH OF ______________ BEFORE ME, the undersigned Notary Public, personally came and appeared: ________________________________ ______________________________ (Insert names of prospective spouses) Who after being duly sworn by me, Notary, deposed and state that: Affiants acknowledge that they have received premarital counseling from a priest, minister, rabbi, clerk of the Religious Society of Friends, any clergyman of any religious sect, or a marriage counselor, which marriage counseling included: A discussion of the seriousness of Covenant Marriage Communication of the fact that a Covenant Marriage is a commitment for life A discussion of the obligation to seek marital counseling in times of marital dif- ficulties A discussion of the exclusive grounds for legally terminating a Covenant Marriage by divorce or by divorce after a judgment of separation from bed and board. Furthermore Affiants sayeth not. ____________________ ____________________ 170 Appendix C SWORN TO AND SUBSCRIBED BEFORE ME THIS ____________ DAY OF _____________ 19___ __________________________ NOTARY PUBLIC II. DECLARATION OF INTENT STATE OF LOUISIANA COVENANT MARRIAGE DECLARATION OF INTENT (For use by engaged couples entering into a Covenant Marriage) “A COVENANT MARRIAGE” We do solemnly declare that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman who agree to live together as husband and wife for so long as both may live. We have chosen each other carefully and disclosed to one another everything which could adversely affect the decision to enter this marriage. We have received premarital counseling on the nature, purposes, and responsibilities of marriage. We have read the Covenant Marriage Act, and we understand that a Covenant Marriage is for life. If we experience marital difficulties, we commit ourselves to take all reasonable efforts to preserve our marriage, including marital counseling. With full knowledge of what this commitment means, we do hereby declare that our marriage will be bound by Louisiana law on Covenant Marriages and we promise to love, honor, and care for one another as husband and wife for the rest of our lives. _________________________________ ____________________________ (Name of Bride) (Name of the Groom) _________________________________ ____________________________ (Signature of the Bride) (Signature of the Groom) _________________________________ ____________________________ (Signature Date) (Signature Date) ============================================== III. BROCHURE GIVEN TO PARTIES INTERESTED IN COVENANT MARRIAGE This public document was published at a total cost of $540.75. Ten thousand (10,000) copies of this public document were published in this first printing at a cost of $540.75. This document was published for the Department of Justice, P.O. Box 94095, Baton Rouge, LA 70805 by the Division of Administration, State Printing Office, to outline the consequences of entering into a Covenant Marriage under LSA-R.S.9:272 et. seq. This material was printed in accordance with the standards for printing by state agencies established pursuant to LSA-R.S. 43:31. Appendix C 171 Covenant Marriage Act Contracting a Covenant Marriage The couple who chooses to enter into a Covenant Marriage agrees to be bound by two serious limitations on obtaining a divorce or separation. These limitations do not apply to other couples married in Louisiana: The couple legally agrees to seek marital counseling if problems develop during the marriage; and The couple can only seek a divorce or legal separation for limited reasons as explained herein. This informational pamphlet outlines the consequences of entering into a Covenant Marriage under Louisiana law: LSA-R.S. 9:272 et. seq. DECLARATION OF INTENT In order to enter into a Covenant Marriage, the couple must sign a recitation that provides: • A marriage is an agreement to live together as husband and wife forever; • The parties have chosen each other carefully and disclosed to each other “everything which could adversely affect” the decision to marry; • The parties have received premarital counseling; • A commitment that if the parties experience marital difficulties they commit to take all reasonable efforts to preserve their marriage, including marital counseling, and • The couple must also obtain premarital counseling from a priest, minister, rabbi, or similar clergyman or any religious sect or a marriage counselor. After discussing the meaning of a Covenant Marriage with the counselor, the couple must also sign, together with an attestation by the counselor, a notarized affidavit to the effect that the counselor has discussed with them: • The seriousness of a Covenant Marriage; • That the...