My cousin and I are very much in love for the past 6 years and we have 1 beautiful and healthy little boy, but now I want to get married with him.  The problem is that we live in a state that we can not get married. We are willing to go out of state to get married but come back here.  I called a place for laws here and they said that if we come back married here that we would be prosecuted.  I am just wondering how we would be prosecuted if people don't know who we really are?  They also said that this state will not recognized us being married but I read it somewhere that we could get married when I am 50 or 55 years old, how would that affect it if we get married sooner?  I hope I gave you enough information to answer my question, cause I really need to know this if this would be safe for us to get married, I really need to get married to feel complete with him.  Please get back to me as soon as possible.  Thanks

Anonymous

Oh I do so love a wedding!! Now don't worry dear, your old Aunt Kate doubts that your legal advice is correct. Just go do it. One of the conventions between states is that they all recognize each other's marriages, even if the marriage wouldn't be performed in your own state. There are no police enforcing marital law.

Have you ever seen anyone asked for a marriage license? But dear, if this is really an issue for you, see an attorney. Don't take Kate's word for it. If you are living common law with the father of your child, it's time that you found an attorney anyway. Be frank and tell him that you do want to marry, tell him that you know you may not in your home state. He should be able to provide good advice. It will probably be an hour or two, and seem like all the money in the world. But every penny will be worth it.

Also Dearie, while you're there take legal advice on estate planning, allow the lawyer to give you advice on how to put your lives together formally - just in case the unthinkable happens. That's his job. Some states allow post menopausal women to marry their cousins. It's a concession to the old wives tale that children of cousins may not be quite right. Best wishes dear!

Your

Aunt Kate