seagypsywoman asks ...

[Boracay]

You can't put butter on their feet.

[David_Old_Jersey]

Hi Arleen,

Originally Posted by arleen

I'm............financially independent

If that be the case you only really need to ensure that you remain so - to keep your options open. If you have any equity in the Boat then make sure you have an agreement that covers / forces the sale of the boat if the partnership breaks down. And I would get a lawyer for that if the sum involved would hurt. And of course retain control over your assets

Apart from that make sure you live within your means (including the boat pot) - IMO keeping financially independent will prevent the feeling of being trapped in a relationship (or boat!) - which can have it's own negative dynamic........after all, floating around on a boat is not everyone's idea of fun and it sounds like way to early for you to buy a one way ticket for that "dream" (even if your partner already has).

The marriage thing? Well, if he has been burned before..........After a certain age some folk may realise that whilst getting married may be desirable that if it went pear shaped it would simply be too late to start again financially. You can't get everything you want in life - no matter what the adverts say

I was knocking around with the Missus for 8 years or so before we got married. I thought we were both relaxed on the subject. and so did she. But afterwards she was walking around like a dog with two tails And I liked it a lot more than I thought as well I am guessing part of the "legal rights" you are talking about relate to if things go wrong with your partner (or you) healthwise. When me Missus got sick late last year it was helpful for both of us (in practice) to be married, as well as a comfort to her. And when things went badly it was helpful (in practice) for me to able to sort out her funeral arrangements and related legal stuff (she was abroad), as well as a comfort for me from not having to take second place to her blood relations..........but families differ on the importance of that one

[seagypsywoman]

Just wondering how you're doing Arleen with your plans. What have you and your partner decided to do about "the piece of paper".

[arleen]

(sigh) We have talked about "marriage".......He is saying, yes, we'll get married, "When we find the right spot, somewhere along our voyage."
We are planning to leave the first of March......I don't think we are going to see any paper or ceremony prior to that.......

There's not much more I can say.

Thanks for your kind words and encouragement!


Arleen