2007-08-31 08:50:43 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Common law marriages are....well, marriages. It means you held yourself out to the community as married for an extended period of time, AND you live in a state that allows them.
There's nothing weird about it, just means that a couple didn't feel like having the state "grant" them the right to marry. Unfortunately, they DO have to get the state involved in the divorce---with kids, wills, co-held funds, houses, etc, it's bad public policy to make people do it on their own. They'd just end up in court anyway.
2007-08-31 09:07:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
You probably will not need to get a divorce. Very few states, if any even recognize common law marriage anymore. However, the best bet is to consult an attorney in your local area to find out. If money is tight, contact your local legal aid office for assistance.
2007-09-01 17:29:12 · answer #2 · answered by floridaladylaw 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't assume that just because you lived with someone for a number of years that you are automatically in a common law marriage. It depends on the state you're in, and specific behaviors or actions you took if co-habitating in a common law state.
But assuming you are in a common-law state, and assuming you had those behaviors/actions, you'd have to go the through the normal divorce process in your state.
2007-08-31 16:06:56 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Divorce Court. Check your State laws to find if you are actually common law married. Many States did away with this years ago and people mistakenly think it is still legal.
2007-08-31 15:59:11 · answer #4 · answered by sensible_man 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think they legally got rid of common law marriage a couple of years ago. At least here in Ohio. But everyone who had been, stayed legally married. It was just that noone else could become married that way.
2007-08-31 15:59:07 · answer #5 · answered by Toledo Engineer 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Believe it or not, you have to go through the same divorce procedure as you would if you have been legally married. Ask a lawyer...
2007-08-31 15:55:16 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The same way as others who got married the traditional way.
2007-08-31 18:12:59 · answer #7 · answered by WC 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't know exactly if the procedure is the same to just split.
However if you have children and/or assets you might want to call a lawyer if you want 1/2 of the assets and right to see the child(ren).
2007-08-31 16:00:16 · answer #8 · answered by Estrella 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Its ridiculous but you have to get a legal divorce. I dont understand how that is fair if 2 people never wanted to make their situation official but still want to be recognized as seriously committed.
2007-08-31 15:58:54 · answer #9 · answered by Me 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋