When we think of marriage, the first thing that comes to mind is two individuals coming together who love one another in both a romantic and physical sense. However, there are other types of unions that are becoming more common than before. Many people are now choosing to have platonic marriages, and even parenting together. If you are considering this type of relationship, it’s important to understand the concept of platonic marriage, what it means for parenting, and how it may impact divorce.

What Are Platonic Marriages?

Platonic marriages are legal unions that are based on practicality or a meaningful connection rather than romance or physical attraction. Typically, these marriages occur between close friends who have love and respect for one another but are not physically involved. These individuals may decide to legally marry and spend their lives as a unit for companionship and meaning. These arrangements also allow a platonic couple to reap the legal and financial benefits of marriage.

What Are The Benefits of a Platonic Marriage?

Platonic marriages are typically based upon trust, commitment, and friendship without a physically intimate relationship. A marriage may begin as a platonic marriage as agreed upon by the spouses, or it may become one over time. Regardless of the circumstances, there are many advantages to a platonic marriage, including companionship, financial security, and emotional stability.

Specifically, some of the benefits of a platonic marriage can include the following:

• Emotional security: One of the benefits of a platonic marriage is having the emotional security of a partner. It can provide a greater sense of stability in your life, as you know you will have an individual to rely on for support and assistance if necessary.
• Tax advantages: When you are married, you can file for taxes jointly and potentially qualify for significant tax breaks.
• Social Security benefits: With a platonic marriage, you could possibly draw half of your spouse’s Social Security benefits in the event something happens to them.
• Retirement planning: If both you and your spouse have a retirement account in place, you can contribute to each other’s accounts. This can allow for greater flexibility in retirement planning.
• Health insurance: Once individuals get married, they can share health insurance benefits and decide which spouse’s plan is more beneficial for them.
• Legal protections: There are many legal protections in place for individuals who are considering a platonic marriage. For instance, if one spouse encounters health issues, the other will have the ability to make important decisions about their care. A spouse would also have inheritance rights under intestate law if the other passes away without a will.
• Paternity: With a platonic marriage, you will have the security of paternity if you decide to have children or co-parent together. This can allow the child to have inheritance rights and access to any benefits provided by the father, such as Social Security, military benefits, or health insurance, without having to go through the legal process of establishing paternity.

Notably, platonic spouses can have the stability and dependency of a life partner who is their best friend, without the same pressures that are often inherent in a romantic marriage.

What is Platonic Co-Parenting?

Although it may seem unusual for friends in a platonic relationship to choose to have children together, it is not uncommon. While having children can place a lot of strain on a couple in a romantic relationship (which can ultimately lead to divorce), this isn’t always the case with those in a platonic relationship. Individuals in a platonic marriage usually have fewer expectations for their spouse. This can lower the stakes and reduce emotional stress.

Without high expectations in place, platonic co-parents can navigate disagreements about parenting matters in an effective manner. Critically, platonic parenting also offers the child emotional and financial support from each of their parents. In addition, it allows the child to benefit from having both parents in the same household.

What Happens If a Platonic Marriage Ends in Divorce?

Not all platonic marriages work out. While the reasons for divorce may be different from a traditional marriage, spouses in platonic marriages can still legally terminate their marriage. For example, if one spouse develops romantic feelings for another or wants a different type of relationship, a divorce may be necessary.

Importantly, these types of partnerships are created on the premise of connection as friends, not romance. Because of this, platonic marriages can often end amicably. The couple may be able to communicate effectively about the intricacies of their case without the emotional pain that often comes with divorce. Spouses may be able to divide their property and settle the other issues that need to be decided outside of court without the contentiousness that spouses who were once in a romantic marriage experience.

If children are in the picture, the process of ending a platonic marriage may be more complex. However, spouses can still continue co-parenting as a team. Mediation or the collaborative divorce process can often be useful tools to help spouses find creative solutions to co-parenting arrangements and ensure the best interests of their children are met.

Contact an Experienced Divorce Attorney

If you are in a platonic marriage and are considering parting ways with your spouse, it is critical to have a compassionate and knowledgeable divorce attorney who can guide you through the process. At Duke Law Firm, P.C., we understand that relationships and marriages can take many different forms and are committed to helping you resolve your divorce as amicably as possible. Contact us to schedule a consultation to learn how we can help.