Item from the Smart
Marriages Archive, reproduced in the Divorce Statistics
Collection
December 24, 1998
Thursday, December 24, 1998
Think before 'I do' Law to require 3-day wait or counseling
By Vivian Wakefield Times-Union staff writer
In a makeshift wedding chapel at the Duval County Courthouse, Levaris Toudle
and Kandace Jeffrey recently vowed to love, honor and
cherish each other for the rest of their lives.
But in a city where 5,823 divorces have been granted so far this year, while
6,866 marriage licenses were being issued, a promise of
marriage is a promise often broken.
Backers of a new state law hope to change that trend. Beginning Jan. 1,
couples wanting to marry will be required to go through premarital
counseling or wait three days before they receive a marriage license.
''The obvious reason is to try to do something to reduce the very high rate
of divorce in the state of Florida,'' said Rep. Elaine Bloom,
D-Miami Beach.
''They will learn important things about how they relate to each other and
hopefully learn how to disagree agreeably, how to solve some of
their problems before they become acute problems,'' said Bloom, who sponsored
the law.
Statewide, the number of divorces is more than half the number of marriage
licenses issued, Bloom said. ''It's a high rate, and it's
growing.''
In Jacksonville, the rate is even higher.
In 1997, Duval County judges granted 5,550 divorces, while clerks issued
7,407 marriage licenses.
In 1996, 5,566 divorces were granted compared with 7,475 marriage licenses
issued. In 1995, the comparison rate was 6,103 divorces to
7,346 marriage licenses.
''I want people to get married for the right reason, but I hope thatthey'll
stay married for the right reason,'' Bloom said.
Richard Fulton, a licensed marriage and family therapist at The Guidance
Clinic in Jacksonville, said most people get married for love but
neglect to consider the importance of compatibility.
''Compatibility, that's what keeps people together, not love,'' he said.
Most of his clients are people who have been married before, have blended
families involving stepchildren or have prenuptial agreements,
Fulton said.
''They want to be more careful,'' Fulton said. ''They want to get it right
this time.''
Several churches require that couples go through premarital counseling with
a minister. For example, Catholic churches in the St. Augustine
Diocese require a program called Pre Cana.
Joyce Timbang, 25, and her fiance, Winlove Velasco, 26, both went through
Pre Cana.
''We talked about all aspects of marriage, not just the love aspect,'' Timbang
said. ''It can't hurt you. When you think about it, it's worth it
because this is forever.''
The Rev. Dan Cody, pastor of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mandarin, said
he has mixed feelings about the new state requirement.
Cody is concerned that people can avoid the counseling by waiting the three
days, and he's concerned about the costs and the qualifications
of some counselors.
The new law does provide a financial incentive, giving couples who take
counseling a $32.50 discount on the $88.50 marriage license fee.
''The good news about it is the fact that the state and people have finally
agreed that all couples [can] benefit from an intensive good
marriage preparation program,'' Cody said. ''We strongly encourage that.''
The new law also requires that couples read a handbook on the rights and
responsibilities of marriage, including details on Florida domestic
violence and child abuse laws.
''It indicates what you need to know if you get married, about how to take
care of yourself and your family,'' Bloom said. ''You hope that
they are going to look through it and learn something from it.''
Several couples at the courthouse last week were in favor of the change
in the state law.
''I think it's good because the rate of divorce is high,'' said Kandace
Toudle, just moments following her wedding ceremony.
Tina Griffin, who was at the courthouse for Toudle's wedding, said counseling
would be especially good for people who have children,
''because you have to think about the stress on the kids as far as adding
a male or female into the family.''
******************
Wednesday, December 23, 1998
License: 3-day wait or 4 hours in class
By R. Michael Anderson County Line staff writer
Planning to get married soon and you're the impatient type?
If so, you might want to apply for your license before the end of the year
to avoid delaying the honeymoon.
Beginning Jan. 1, a new state law will require couples to wait three days
before embarking on the quest for marital bliss.
The three days do not include the day couples apply for a license, nor the
day the license is issued, said Martha Butler, civil law supervisor
in the Clay County Clerk of the Court's Office in Green Cove Springs.
The law does provide a way to avoid the waiting period, however, by completing
an approved four-hour Premarital Preparation Course.
A certificate of completion entitles couples to marry immediately afterward
and save $32.50 on their marriage license fee, Butler said.
Instead of the customary $88.50 fee, couples who complete the course will
be charged $56.
Only courses taught by certified instructors, including marriage and family
therapists and psychologists, are acceptable.
''The main thing people want to know,'' said Butler, ''is if they apply
for a license before the end of the year is it still good after the first
of
the new year. The answer is yes. The license is valid for 60 days.''
And non-Florida residents are not subject to the new law. A couple from
Georgia, for example, could obtain a license in Clay County and
get married the same day, Butler said.
For more information about the new law, call the Clerk of the Court's Office
at 269-6302; or 284-6302, extension 2037. People calling
from the Keystone Heights area may call 473-3711.
Last year, 1,485 marriage licenses were issued in Clay County. As of Dec.
4, 1,369 had been issued this year.
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