I received an
email from an old friend from this site. Her story is not uncommon.
I have heard more and more women who are happily living apart from their husbands. The couples have two different homes, often in two different states. They file their income taxes jointly. They are covered by the same health insurance and according to the books, they are married.
The reality seems to be that in many cases these “non marriages” work for both husband and wife. There is no fighting. There is no discord and money isn’t wasted on legal fees or an ugly divorce.
These separations rarely seem to be written in an agreement or contract. The estranged couples are tied together by taxes, pensions, Social Security and health care insurance. Clearly, the marriage continues for financial reasons only. Often it is the couple’s financial adviser who recommends that they remain married.
When the separation is amicable, one spouse may suggest that the couple doesn’t divorce legally until the other qualifies for some benefit. The marriages may stay intact so that the other spouse is old enough to qualify for Medicare.
To have an endless separation, in my opinion, would be terrible. How could anyone experience a new beginning when there has been no ending?
Financially, I believe it could make sense but emotionally-absolutely not!
If and when a new significant other arrives on the horizon, what person would want to be with someone who would not free himself or herself from a spouse for financial reasons?
Photo by brownbeatle
