Thursday, August 1, 2002
Tennessee state law requires pre-marital counseling before marriage
A story published today by the Grundy County Herald reports that a Tennessee state law requires that if the marriage course is not completed, a couple will pay $93.50 for their marriage license. If the couple attends the counseling program, then the cost of the license goes down to $33.50.
The Tennessee legislature enacted the law to counter the high divorce rates in the state. The legislators hope that by couples getting the counseling, there will be fewer divorces.
The course, which will be a minimum of four hours long, consist of conflict management, communication skills, financial responsibilities, children and parenting responsibilities and data compiled from available
information relating to problems encountered by couples.
The law allows each judicial district to establish a roster of area course providers, including those who offer the course on a sliding fee scale or for free.
The money raised by the program is to "remain in the divorcing parent and mediation fund established by the State Treasurer."
