[thrownaway1337]

> planning with both of your current and future states in mind

This is what is so difficult about marriage. You sign up for a lifetime commitment, but no one plans their life 100% in advance. People change, desires change, realities change.

[afthonos]

Sure, but GP is saying that constant planning is the deal. You constantly plan, reassess, and most importantly communicate. And you are always aware of the current conditions of the deal, the opportunity cost, etc. Are you in a bad marriage but hope it'll get better? The opportunity cost is X more years to have to pay alimony if you get divorced. Decide accordingly.

[thrownaway1337]

But then why do it in the first place? If you want to have the optionality to constantly plan, reassess, and communicate why would you bind yourself into a legal agreement that limits your ability to do that?

[afthonos]

Because there are tangible legal and social benefits to doing so, including hospital visitation rights, insurance, etc, as well the ability to live in harmony with people you love whose social expectations are that you get married. This is important to many people—especially if they have found a partner that they can conceive of spending a lifetime with.