LADbible quotes Sarah Jane Boon on the legal binding nature of marriages from Netflix’s 'Love is Blind'

With Love Is Blind nearly back on our screens, the most common question asked is: are the marriages legally binding? 

Netflix's Love is Blind features couples who propose the first time they see each other and marry just a few months later. 

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.

Sarah Jane Boon, Family Partner shares her thoughts with LADbible:

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. 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.

"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.

Read the full piece in LADbible here.