There are benefits to a marriage contract, to be sure. What benefits are provided by the government?
Provided by the government implies that the government is paying something, rather than just passing a law allowing certain things. The government doesn't pay anything for married people.
Married filing jointly, in fact, often pay more in taxes than two filing single. It's called the marriage penalty.
No, provided does not imply any sort of financial responsibility. It simply means provided. Allow works as well.
But, if you want to speak monetarily, then the following applies:
* Creating a "family partnership" under federal tax laws, which allows you to divide business income among family members.
* Receiving an exemption from both estate taxes and gift taxes for all property you give or leave to your spouse.
* Creating life estate trusts that are restricted to married couples, including QTIP trusts, QDOT trusts, and marital deduction trusts.
* Receiving Social Security, Medicare, and disability benefits for spouses.
* Receiving veterans' and military benefits for spouses, such as those for education, medical care, or special loans.
* Obtaining insurance benefits through a spouse's employer.
* Taking family leave to care for your spouse during an illness.
* Receiving wages, workers' compensation, and retirement plan benefits for a deceased spouse.
* Suing a third person for wrongful death of your spouse and loss of consortium (loss of intimacy).
* Taking bereavement leave if your spouse or one of your spouse's close relatives dies.