By DENISE PALMER
Starting Friday, Louisiana will offer Covenant Marriage to couples seeking a marriage license.
According to the Declaration of Intent, a Covenant Marriage requires a couple to get premarital counseling on the nature, purposes and responsibilities of marriage. It also commits the couple to take all reasonable efforts to preserve their marriage, including marital counseling.
To contract a Covenant Marriage, a couple must read a pamphlet prepared by the Attorney General of Louisiana entitled “Covenant Marriage Act” and sign the declaration of intent to contract a Covenant Marriage.
The couple must also get an affidavit, which attests to the fact that they received premarital counseling. The affidavit must be signed by the couple and the notary public, and must be accompanied by a statement from a counselor stating the couple received counseling about marriage.
A married couple can contract a Covenant Marriage if they discuss with a counselor their intent to enter the contract.
Hickerson said the Covenant Marriage license costs the same as the regular marriage license.
Jeff Hickerson, supervisor for public services and marriage licenses for the East Baton Rouge Parish Clerk of Court’s Office, said the law makes it harder for couples to get divorced.
“They can’t get that quick divorce like they used to. They won’t be able to get a divorce on any terms. They have to agree to go to counseling and try to work it out unless it’s abuse or adultery or major issues dealing with divorce,” he said.
Hickerson said a couple must have proof of counseling if they do decide to terminate their Covenant Marriage.
“They’ll have to have an affidavit saying they’ve gone through counseling. It must be notarized. It must have the bride’s name, the groom’s name and the counselor’s name saying they understand the Covenant Marriage and that they want it to end,” he said.
In addition to counseling, a Covenant Marriage requires a couple to be separated for a longer period of time than a regular marriage before they can file for divorce.
“Now, if they’re living separate for six months they can get a divorce,” Hickerson said.
He said that a Covenant Marriage will require a couple to be separated for two years before filing suit for the divorce, unless there is adultery, abuse or some other major issue.
David Hillstead, who is in BYU’s post-bachelor Ph.D. marriage and family therapy program, thinks the Covenant Marriage is a good idea to strengthen marriages.
“Probably the main effect it will get is it will increase the individual’s awareness of how big of a commitment (marriage) is,” he said.
Hillstead said the Covenant Marriage may be stronger because of the covenant-type commitment at the beginning of the marriage.
“I’d say the most important thing is that when they enter the marriage, they’re going to go through a lot more processes to make sure they’re making the right choice. They’ll be a lot more familiar with who they’re marrying, which always increases the success of marriage,” he said.
The Declaration of Intent, which a couple is required to read and sign if they choose the Covenant Marriage, states that the couple has chosen each other carefully. It also states the couple has disclosed to one another everything that could adversely effect their decision to enter the marriage.
Hickerson said the bill was passed a couple of weeks ago when the governor signed it into law. He said there has not been a big response from the public.
“We’re getting very little feedback from the public. We don’t have couples coming in and talking about it — and it’s not like it’s not being covered. It’s been on TV and in the newspaper,” he said.
