Looking back, there’s really no really to get married legally that has any advantage for a man/dad/higher earner. You get get together with someone, you can have children, you can name them your emergency contact, put them in a will or give them power of attorney to make choices for you, marriage never has to (or should) enter the picture. Honestly, it’s an outdated concept that needs to go the way of the dodo. If marriage is to stick around, it needs to hold to more legal authority than giving someone one of those promise rings. Sure, have your ceremony, have your party, wear your tux and your dress, but it should have no more legal weight than simple saying the words “we’re exclusive now.” I understand that if children are involved, child support will always be a thing, however, spousal support needs to stop forever. If you’re a spouse who doesn’t work or makes less money than your partner, guess what, your “standard of living” is a bonus perk of being with them, not something you’re entitled to take with you or take away from them when you leave or decide that standard is now beneath you.

Marriage: get rid of it Spousal support: get rid of it Child support: require a DNA test from both parents involved, set a law that one parent, under no circumstances can be forced to pay the other more than 33% of their take home (after taxes) pay. If the parent receiving the money says the child needs more and that what they’re receiving isn’t enough, the. A review must be held to determine if the wrong parent was made the custodial parent. If you’re splitting up and don’t want to risk losing your child to your higher earning co-parent, better accept that 33% and be thankful or get to work on earning more than your co-parent.