How long do we have to live together to be considered common law marriage?

Answer 1

Common law marriage is recognized only in the following states:

Alabama
Colorado
District of Columbia
Georgia (if created before 1/1/97)
Idaho (if created before 1/1/96)
Iowa
Kansas
Montana
New Hampshire (for inheritance purposes only)
Ohio (if created before 10/10/91)
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Utah

Contrary to popular belief, a common law marriage is not created when two people simply live together for a certain number of years. In order to have a valid common law marriage, the couple must do all of the following:

* live together for a significant period of time (not defined in any state)
* hold themselves out as a married couple -- typically this means using the same last name, referring to the other as "my husband" or "my wife," and filing a joint tax return, and
* intend to be married.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

you have been given some bad answers; here are the facts.....


Only a few states recognize common law marriages:

Alabama
Colorado
Georgia (if created before 1/1/97)
Idaho (if created before 1/1/96)
Iowa
Kansas
Montana
New Hampshire (for inheritance purposes only)
Ohio (if created before 10/10/91)
Oklahoma (possibly only if created before 11/1/98. Oklahoma's laws and court decisions may be in conflict about whether common law marriages formed in that state after 11/1/98 will be recognized.)
Pennsylvania (if created before 1/1/05)
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Utah
Washington, D.C.



IF YOU LIVE IN A STATE THAT DOES RECOGNIZE COMMON LAW MARRIAGE: If you live in one of the above states and you "hold yourself out to be married" (by telling the community you are married, calling each other husband and wife, using the same last name, filing joint income tax returns, etc.), you can have a common law marriage (for more information on the specific requirements of each state, see next page). Common law marriage makes you a legally married couple in every way, even though you never obtained a marriage license. If you choose to end your relationship, you must get a divorce, even though you never had a wedding. Legally, common law married couples must play by all the same rules as "regular" married couples. If you live in one of the common law states and don't want your relationship to become a common law marriage, you must be clear that it is your intention not to marry. The attorneys who wrote Living Together (additional information below) recommend an agreement in writing that both partners sign and date: "Jane Smith and John Doe agree as follows: That they've been and plan to continue living together as two free, independent beings and that neither has ever intended to enter into any form of marriage, common law or otherwise."

Answer 4

Depending on where you live. Most US states do not recognize "common law" marriage (I think, only 12 or 13 states do); but even in the states that do recognize it, there are certain requirements you have to meet, and some paperwork you need to file, for you to become common law spouses. It's best to google "common law marriage in ", and go from there.

Answer 5

It really depends on what state you are in. But my grandma lived with a man that I thought of as my grandpa ( for 32 yrs) and they lived in Iowa which I believe is 3yrs, but if you don't file taxes together and come off to others as married then they don't consider you common law marriage. Because my grandma was considered a friend after his death by the law because of that.

Answer 6

The whole question makes me feel a little weird, because on one hand, it's ridiculous that people can have legitimate, recognized marriages that last but a couple of months, yet people who decide not to get the legal recognition of their relationship have to be together longer in order to "prove" something. That strikes me as incredibly unfair. I think the whole idea of common law marriages is becoming wildly difficult to define as we start getting into new views of commitment, cohabitation, and couples choosing not to get married. It's just hard.

Answer 7

Kansas common law marriage was voted out but check with your state, if you file the paper work to be common law married make sure it is worth it first.

Answer 8

7 years

Answer 9

Depends on the state, most of them there is no common law marriage at all.

Answer 10

7 or 8 years