Further Inside information about the Relationship Agreement

A Relationship Agreement combines the elements of consideration, or a troth, which makes it binding, and protects assets for the term of the agreement and addresses poor performance and unfair practices within the relationship.

Essential differentiating elements of an RA which differentiate it from other non binding relationship agreements and pre-nuptials, (and hence IP) is that it combines the essential elements of contracts, being offer, acceptance, capacity, consideration, benefit, intent and obligation and counterbalances the element of contract with prohibitions for four torts and uses the amount of the troth, or bond or consideration or rel, as the basis for computing the amount of the penalties or damages and so misbehaviour is proscribed and attracts financial consequences. Any additional conditions or terms which you regard as important can be listed on the back with both to initial each term and both to sign and date underneath under the additional terms and outline any consequences, financial or otherwise. Terms on the back could be: single column: all terms are to apply equally to each other ; or two columns: terms in left column (written in red) are her terms to apply to him and right column (written in blue) his terms to apply to her. Besides any extra terms and conditions on the back it might be a good idea to write down a joint venture purpose for the two of you together to give some direction to the union.

During the course of the first year or two both of you will have time to reassess and redefine the terms and conditions and values you may have included on the reverse side of the your Relationship Agreement.

For this reason, as you become more certain as to what behaviour and values should be specified and what behaviour and values should be proscribed it is advisable that there should be one or two renewal/reciprocations in the first year or so. That is, your first term period for the RA should be 3 or 6 or 12 months so that terms can be honed and redefined. By redefining and clarifying your terms a few times you should be able to work out what it is that is important, where there should be any reciprocated compromise and arrive at a more satisfying, stronger and perhaps even perfect relationship with a made to order partner who knows exactly what you want and has agreed to please and satisfy you.

The total financial consequences for breach or torts is no more than that contemplated by the agreement and does not extend to assets (unless specifically stated), providing the RA has been current for the term of the relationship and proscribes maintenance as the total financial consequences were those that were outlined under the agreement. Furthermore an RA has a predetermined term or duration and there is the concept of renewal or reciprocation. An RA also makes a relationship dumpproof as there is no dumping without attracting a penalty for the term of the relationship. The ending of a relationship due to non renewal or non-reciprocation is an event attended by no ill will or animosity.

As previously said in the outside notes a marriage is absolute and allows little bargaining or negotiation room and so there is no big stick except separation/divorce (and its emotional and financial repercussions) so repeated forgiveness is often obligatory or you may well suffer. With an RA there is always the spicy threat of non renewal if a partner is falling short and adjustments can be made to the terms at each renewal time - and each renewal time can bring a celebration, even recurring honeymoons for longer termed agreement renewals.

Without teeth, without a bond, without a term (period) and without terms much that has been written about relationships and marriage seeking to improve them  is just platitudes and wishful theory. The key is to effectively and practically modify behaviour and expectations and enshrine defined commitment in writing with submission and agreement on both sides evidenced by a uni or bilateral troth.

The penalty of damages for tort is calculated by reference to the troth and as the agreement is a simple contract with all the essential elements a court can be expected to enforce the penalty should matters need to proceed to court to recover moneys owing. The Relationship Agreement is effective and being a simple mutually agreeed contract is binding in any jurisdiction which recognizes the concepts of contract and tort which is anywhere in the world. The agreement will stand, the only weakness may be your evidence.

Of course the receipt of a troth, or bond, by a suitee/wooee for the term of the relationship is not the receipt of income any more or less than the payment of a troth, or bond, by the suitor is an expense of any sort or a purchase price for the receipt of services. The payment is a bond which can be recovered or forfeited or rolled over and is held in trust pending determination of what will happen to it at the end of the term. A troth should be a sensible and honourable amount. A troth of a dollar would be an insult and a troth of $100,000 could be incentive for the wooee to not renew and permanently retain the bond. It should be a sensible amount in between determined by negotiation and agreement. An acceptance and undertaking to safekeep the bond is an honouring and acceptance of the wooer's attentions and signals an accommodation of and commitment to respond to the wooer's desires and an acknowledgment that the two parties have an ongoing agreement and understanding - a love deal with a foundation and a purpose.

The definition of a marriage is generally a union between a man and a woman entered into voluntarily for life. (It could be argued that if a marriage ends in divorce then the union was not ultimately entered into for life and so in retrospect one was not truly married as it did not endure till death). A relationship under a Relationship Agreement is one which can be renewed indefinitely so the definition of a renewable relationship is a union between two persons entered into voluntarily for an agreed period which may be renewed indefinitely with multiple commitments, perhaps even for life.

Next page

©