But both partners must take the course, and both must be Florida residents for the discount to apply. A couple who does not take a marriage preparation course must wait three days to get a marriage license after applying. There is no waiting period for couples who take the course. At the same time, the new law provides a disincentive to divorce. The law may not change things for some couples.
Many churches already require or strongly encourage premarital counseling.
If I'm not able to counsel with a couple, I encourage them to get it. The Catholic Church requires four to six months of marriage preparation before a couple can marry in the church. The process also includes gathering legal documents required by the church or by law and planning the wedding ceremony. Chivers said the new state law might encourage more people to participate in premarital counseling. And it could have an evangelical effect.