In real estate, one may own a life estate in a piece of property. This is comparable to the term of a marriage \u201d\u201d a lifetime. And in real estate, one may hold possession of property for shorter terms through a lease.<\/p>\n
Why don\u2019t we borrow from real estate and create a marital lease? Instead of wedlock, a \u201cwedlease.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s how a marital lease could work: Two people commit themselves to marriage for a period of years \u201d\u201d one year, five years, 10 years, whatever term suits them. The marital lease could be renewed at the end of the term however many times a couple likes. It could end up lasting a lifetime if the relationship is good and worth continuing. But if the relationship is bad, the couple could go their separate ways at the end of the term. The messiness of divorce is avoided and the end can be as simple as vacating a rental unit.<\/p>\n