"But do we want to compromise all spousal rights in order to save Terri?"
no
what spousal rights does/should an adulturer and common law bigamist have with respect to his wife??
That's the point. These issues should have been decided by the courts years ago. When he began living with the other woman and having children with her, couldn't Terri's attorney claimed abandonment and filed for divorce for her?
Then her parents would be in control and we wouldn't have this problem.
Someone dropped the ball a long time ago.