Lawyer reveals whether marriages on Netflix’s Love is Blind are legally binding
When you think of the most romantic marriage proposals of all time on film, there are so many options to pick from.
Whether it be When Harry Met Sally, Pretty Woman, or Friends - everyone has a film or TV show they think when they think about how they love, love.
What many won’t think about, however, is Netflix’s Love is Blind.
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The bizarre show features people really, genuinely, proposing to someone the very first time they see them.
The reality series, which released its newest season today on Netflix, features groups of single men and women who talk to one another from ‘pods’, where they can only hear each others voice and nothing else.
Many watching wonder how legitimate the proposals, and the ensuing marriages are.
We spoke to a legal expert regarding this to get to the bottom of the matter.
Sarah Jane Boon, Partner at law firm Charles Russell Speechlys, said of whether the marriages are legally binding: “In short, the answer is yes.
“Despite taking place very quickly, the marriages are legally binding, and so there are a number of legal factors that the contestants should be considering before they choose to say I do.
“We’re all hoping that every couple’s marriage works out, but if the relationship breaks down, couples need to have been legally married for at least 12 months before they can get divorced in England and an annulment will only be possible if they have not consummated the marriage.”
While the newest season of Love is Blind is American, the show debuted its first British season last year, and Love is Blind: UK will be getting a season two later this year.
Sarah went on to say of the couples in the process: “If the couples choose to eventually divorce, they will need to confirm that the marriage has broken down irretrievably.
“The good news is that the divorce process was simplified in 2022, so couples can now apply for a divorce (any time after the initial 12 months of marriage), without having to “blame” the breakdown of the marriage on one person’s unreasonable behaviour or adultery.”
In the whole issue of the show, there was one thing Sarah suggested that any singletons considering the process keep in mind: “Another issue to bear in mind is pre-nups.
"The show does not share information about the participants’ financial circumstances but, if there is a discrepancy or one party has or is due to receive a large inheritance or has business interests they would wish to protect, then they would be well advised to enter into a pre-nuptial agreement.
“If couples marry on Love is Blind, as the marriages are legally binding, as soon as they are married, they will automatically have financial claims against each other in the event of a divorce, and a pre-nup could help to protect the wealth they had before the marriage as well as any inheritances or business interests.”
Considering last season saw a cheating scandal, secret children, and one of the most awkward proposals of all time, it’s definitely one to consider.
Topics: Netflix, TV and Film, TV, Sex and Relationships
Michael Slavin