Marriage Law Update

With permission from her parents, 17 year-old Lisa Stansell went to the Benton County Clerk’s office to apply for a marriage license, the only problem she isn’t pregnant. According to the new Arkansas marriage law, only minors who are pregnant and have parental consent can get married. The confusion started when the state legislature drafted the new marriage bill which allowed anyone under the age of 18 to get married if they have their parents’ permission. Then the code revision commission tried to fix the mistake, but ended up totally changing the law. Now, the only way a minor can get married in Arkansas is if they are pregnant and have their parents’ permission. According to Rogers attorney Timothy Hutchinson, the code revision commission didnt have the right to change the law. Hutchinson is representing Stansell and filed a complaint against Benton County Clerk Mary Lou Slinkard in circuit court this week. Friday, Benton County Attorney Robin Green filed a response to the lawsuit. Green says Slinkard was simply following the law as it stands. Hutchinson hopes the case is appealed to the Arkansas Supreme Court so it can have a binding effect for the rest of the state.