MSU College of Law - Cupid by Proxy

EAST LANSING, Mich., Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- For centuries, states have authorized marriages performed outside of their borders. Several states, like Montana and California, offer proxy marriages even today, albeit only to those serving in the military.

Michigan State University College of Law Professors Mae Kuykendall and Adam Candeub are co-creators of The Legal E-marriage Project, which would assist states already performing same-sex marriages with enacting laws to allow couples to marry by proxy via the Internet.  

Professors Kuykendall and Candeub can address specifics regarding The Legal E-marriage Project covering topics such as:

• Will E-marriage create a genuine legal bond?
• Will every state recognize every type of E-marriage?
• How the Legal E-marriage Project could serve as a clearinghouse for legislative proposals to institute same-sex marriages by proxy over the Internet.
• How E-marriage could radically change the landscape of same-sex marriage and help committed couples retain their spousal rights.
• Whether E-marriage could benefit heterosexual couples who wish to marry but are physically separated, as often happens when serving in the military.

The Legal E-marriage Project has been garnering attention from across the country:

• Since its launch in the fall of 2009, the E-marriage website has received extensive media attention.
• States with proxy laws on the books have been extremely interested in the Legal E-marriage Project.
• The Legal E-marriage Project has attracted the attention of gay-friendly states as a potential means to facilitate civil unions between same sex couples.

Legal E-marriage Project details can be found at www.law.msu.edu/E-marriage. 

MSU College of Law is a private college affiliated with Michigan State University, one of the leading research institutions in the nation. MSU College of Law offers a rigorous and intellectually challenging required curriculum, enhanced by numerous specialty programs, which provides a thorough education in all principal areas of law and practice, challenges students to achieve excellence in their academic pursuits, and prepares them for a successful career.

*Estimate based on county court marriage filings in selected counties during April 06, 07, 08

CONTACT: Rick Kamel, 616-805-4197, [email protected] for interview availability

SOURCE MSU College of Law