4 ms·
In most of the US, if a relationship lasts long enough, it doesn't matter much whether you "get married" or not. As far as the state's concerned, you are legall
by mirimir 8y ago
In most of the US, if a relationship lasts long enough, it doesn't matter much whether you "get married" or not. As far as the state's concerned, you are legally married.
- pmiller2 8y agoWhat are you referring to? Common law marriage? That’s only valid in 8 states and DC (California is not one of those states, FYI). Edit: Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and the District of Columbia are the only US districts where one can enter into a common law marriage today. Such marriages are, of course, recognized by other states, but you won’t end up “accidentally” married by doing nothing in New York, for instance.
- mirimir 8y agoOK, I stand corrected.[0] But then, in California there's "palimony",[1] so it's iffy. I guess the lesson is to research the applicable legal environment. 0) https://www.cadivorce.com/news/common-law-marriage-myths/ https://www.cadivorce.com/news/common-law-marriage-myths/ 1) https://www.cadivorce.com/california-divorce-guide/spousal-support/what-is-a-palimony-or-marvin-claim/ https://www.cadivorce.com/california-divorce-guide/spousal-s...
- poulsbohemian 8y agoAdd Washington state to your list. There is case law here whereby if you live together or demonstrate that you are in a domestic partnership, you can be liable for spousal support, using the same guidelines as divorce. And this is without signing any documents or anything “official” to mark the partnership. Edit: in fact, to make this even more messed up - Washington state had a domestic partnership law, then got rid of it. So now there is a giant legal grey area where the courts have basically said “we know it when we see it.”