Last Tuesday, CNN carried the story of a woman who was suing because her bank had disclosed the existence of her secret bank account with over $800K in it. There were many views for and against this practice. The legal experts say it's fine to have separate accounts but there should be full disclosure going into the marriage.

"Do you want your money or a loving spouse? If you have that one secret, what's to prevent you from having other secrets? You should disclose more personal secrets to each other as well as secret accounts. Have separate accounts plus one joint account for payment of household bills so that you don't have to keep running to each other for permission to make individual purchases. Women need separate accounts so they don't have to shop in secret. In the event of sudden death, separate accounts work as well as a knowledge of where everything is so that legal matters can be settled without fuss."

These are some of the points made during the debate. What say you?

Fixed-Term marriages

In Melbourne, Australia, last month, an article stated that studies reveal that 32 per cent of divorces involve separation within the first five years of marriage and 22 per cent within five to nine years. That led to the Australian Bureau of Statistics thinking of introducing fixed-term marriage contracts. What a fabulous idea!

I am not saying I don't believe in the sanctity of marriage but the words "till death do us part" have a certain ominous ring to them; don't you agree?

Far too many people get married for the wrong reason so I think it's best if they had a little wiggle room to make a hasty retreat in case people start to wonder 'what have I got myself into?'

The article also pointed out that the fixed-term marriage was not a quick-fix but would, "allow for the celebration of the renewal of vows after a five-year or 10-year term." The article further stated: "Such ceremonies would encourage partners to work towards maintaining a good enough relationship that could lead to a marriage performance review."

Life-long partnership

When all is said and done, two successful five-year terms could lead to a life-long partnership. To many, this may seem cold and calculating, but I say bravo. This should be tried elsewhere in the world, especially right here in Jamaica. Perhaps if couples had to work towards keeping contracts, in much the same way they had to work hard to keep their jobs, marriages would stand a better chance of survival.

I can just hear readers now, rushing to their keyboards to send me hate mail about my immorality. I say, get real! Running a country takes far more focus and dedication and we only give politicians a four to five-year term. Plus, from what I have heard about some marriages, I would take a term in Fort Augusta over them any day.

Additional information can be found by Goggling 'fixed-term marriages'.

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