Relatives who want to get married to each other may need some guidance from a practitioner of Family Law in Rochester MN. State laws prohibit certain legal unions, but there are some tactics that allow the couple to marry after all. It’s essential to receive professional legal counsel when attempting one of these strategies to make sure the marriage will be considered valid.
Prohibited Marriages
Minnesota state law prohibits marriage in several types of relationships. For instance, parents cannot marry their biological or adopted children. Brothers and sisters cannot marry even if they are only half-siblings by blood or are related only through adoption. Uncles and aunts cannot marry their nieces and nephews. First cousins also are not allowed to get married to each other.
Reasons for Restrictions
Some of the restrictions were set up to prevent genetic abnormalities that are common when close relatives reproduce. Others reflect more of a historical taboo or an effort to prevent psychologically harmful relationships. A father marrying an adopted daughter would not lead to genetic problems if they had children, but one might argue that making this action legal could result in people adopting children with the intention of marrying them one day.
Possible Strategies
One possible way around certain restrictions is to get married in another state that does allow these unions. An attorney who practices Family Law in Rochester MN can explain which legal unions could work and be recognized by the state. For instance, first cousins are allowed to get married in nearly half of the states. The couple from Minnesota might take a road trip to the southeast or northeast part of the country where the laws are different. First, they should talk with an attorney at an organization such as Rolsch Law Offices to make sure they are not just wasting their time and money.
Contradictory Laws
Some laws may seem nonsensical to two people who love each other and want to legally marry. For instance, an adopted brother and sister with no biological relationship are not allowed to get married in this state, but step-siblings are. As they look for answers to their problem, they may Click Here to learn more about one organization providing legal counsel and representation.
