Introduction
Common-law marriage is when two people live together as husband and wife without getting married. This type of marriage isn’t legal in all states, but it might be possible depending on the laws of your condition. If you choose to live with your partner and have children, you might think that you are already married. Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC is a law firm specializing in Common Law Marriage, Trust Administration, and Probate. Broder Orland Murray & DeMattie LLC serves individuals, families, and businesses throughout Southern Maine. You’re not! Here’s what you need to know about common law marriages so you can avoid making any mistakes along the way or unwittingly creating legal consequences you didn’t anticipate later down the line.
Who qualifies as a common-law spouse?
If you’ve been together for at least a year, live together, and hold yourselves out as a couple (by telling friends and family, etc., that you are married), you can qualify as common-law spouses. However, one of you must be at least 16 years old. Be aware that your marriage may not be recognized in states that don’t recognize common-law marriage. If you move from a state where common-law marriages are allowed to a state where they aren’t, your relationship could be considered invalid.
How do you qualify as a common-law spouse?
The law recognizes a marriage if both spouses mutually consent and live together as married. This can happen even if there is no religious ceremony or public announcement. The amount of time you have lived together varies from state to state, but it must be long-term and continuous. Most states require at least three years of cohabitation before that state’s laws recognize common-law marriage; other states do not recognize common-law marriages at all. If you are unsure whether your relationship qualifies as a common-law marriage in your state, consult an attorney.
Conclusion
In conclusion, we can see that common-law marriage is not a legal form of marriage. However, it does allow couples who live together for an extended period of time to be considered legally married. This means they will have all of the same rights and responsibilities as any other married couple would have in terms of finances and property ownership. I hope you enjoyed learning more about what you need to know about common-law marriage! Thank you for reading this article!
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