I didn't want legal marriage but my husband did, so we got married. I am grateful for it now because without it I would have had no control over his funeral or where his remains ended up.

I have not had any tax benefit. We signed the marriage license so that

• my wife and I both were insistent on her taking my name.
• adding a spouse to health/dental is available everywhere, but a lot of plans will not allow an unmarried beneficiary.
• should anything happen to either one of us the surviving one will easily have legal rights/power of attorney.
• parental rights for men are much more protected w a marriage.

We will never divorce so I dont see any disadvantage. But most importantly, like you seem to understand, is that the actual marriage is valid because of vows before the authority of God. There are benefits to the license of the state. But only homos think govt officials in fancy robes actually validate a marriage.

There isn't an advantage that outweighs all the disadvantages. See an attorney before you begin a long term relationship, and stay out of states that recognize common law marriage. Full disclosure: I have been married and divorced. I am now in a long term relationship. We each maintain a separate home in two adjoining states. She is included in my will, but will not be inheriting property that has been in my family for four generations. That will go to my children.

Legal marriage provides an increased level of stability.

Kids from married parents / intact homes do hugely better than kids from unmarried parrents!!

Tax benefits are pretty much it.

bow before God is what I did and nothing else. So now, on paper, she's a single mom and gets a huge tax return. I, on the the hand, owe a couple bucks. Her return more than makes up for it.

Fortunately we both have health insurance from our jobs, but if one of us didn't that's the only reason I would see a reason to get the government involved.

Definitely medical insurance - my spouse was laid off for 8 months and I couldn't have covered them with my insurance if we weren't married. Car insurance - it brought my rate down to have both of our names on my car. When we bought a house it was also easier to be approved as a married couple. Other than that, no real tax advantages that I've seen

Tons of advantages to marriage if you’re a women. For a guy.. not so much. Sex and companionship sometimes depending on the girl. But mostly nagging, fighting, and eventually losing half your shit and emotional reconfiguration is quite likely.
If you can find a girl that’s traditional and not westernized. Your chances to keep half your shit is increased. College “educated” you’ll be fighting daily for role position and be made to feel bad about being a man.