What Is A Covenant Marriage?

If you are newly engaged and concerned about the possibility of divorce, there are steps you can take to help safeguard your marriage from dissolution. One popular method for couples entering marriage to fend off divorce is to participate in premarital counseling. In fact, some churches and other organizations will require sessions prior to allowing a wedding to take place. Another option at your disposal is to apply for and enter into a covenant marriage. This type of marriage is different from a traditional marriage, and should therefore only be entered into after careful consideration and thought.

Arizona statutes help explain the concept of a covenant marriage. It works like this:

• You must declare your intent to enter a covenant marriage and engage in counseling sessions prior to the marriage.

• If the marriage does experience difficulty that leads to divorce, a no fault divorce proceeding is not an option.

• Specific grounds for divorce must be cited in order to obtain a divorce from a covenant marriage. These grounds include abuse, infidelity, felony, abandonment, or an extended period of time spent separated.

The purpose of this law is to prevent parties from getting married without giving the marriage serious thought. The idea of a covenant marriage is also meant to reduce the rate of divorce, and provide the couple with a deeper understanding of the consequences of ending their marriage. Whether these goals are actually obtained is debatable, but one thing is for certain: if you have entered a covenant marriage and want to get divorced, you can do so. However, the divorce process for this type of marriage is more complex than with a non-covenant marriage, and requires artful legal argument. Contact our office for more information, and to learn what you will face when seeking a divorce from a covenant marriage.

For answers to your questions about covenant marriages, consult our office. Put our valuable experience to work for you. Call The Sampair Group in Phoenix and the West Valley today to schedule your appointment.