Don't Wait Until the Last Minute for Pre-Marital Counseling

Wedding planning is hard, but marriage can be harder. Thanks to a program sponsored by the
Health and Human Services Commission, couples approaching marriage can build a solid
foundation and save the $60 marriage license fee as well.

The Twogether in Texas program offers premarital education to engaged couples across the state
through a network of providers. Couples who go through a class or couple's sessions can have their marriage license fee reduced by $60 and waive the 72-hour waiting period after they get their license.

"The premarital education that couples get in the Twogether in Texas program can set a strong
foundation for a marriage and give couples a better idea of the challenges they will face," said
Gordon Leeks, who oversees the program for HHSC.
"The idea behind Twogether in Texas is that couples take an eight- hour class or eight house of couple's session which covers conflict resolution, communication and other key aspects of marriage," Leeks said. "The goal is to increase the well-being of all Texas children by providing voluntary marriage and relationship education skills to their parents.”

Couples who complete a class or sessions get a certificate that they can take to their county clerk when they apply for their marriage license. The certificate is good for one year and serves as proof that the couple is eligible for the discounted marriage license fee.

And plan ahead. It could take up to 8 weeks to complete a course or sessions.

Program facts:
1. The marriage education classes and discount for a marriage license were authorized by
House Bill 2685 from the 2007 Texas legislative session.
2.29,000 people statewide completed the classes in FY 2014.
3. Researchers have found that couples who underwent counseling before their wedding had a 30% higher marital success rate than those who did not.


If you are interested in making your relationship stronger and would like to avoid the causes of divorce, call Carolyn C. Martin at 512-795-0402 at Mariposa Psychotherapy Services