Common law marriages are marriages that take place without a ceremony.
Instead, a common law marriage is a marriage that is established when
two partners file an affidavit stating that you have mutually agreed to
become husband and wife. Typically, a couple who wants a common law marriage
will also request that others who know them to also file an affidavit
that explains how long the couple has lived together, their address, and
whether or not there was any public announcement of the marriage.
Also, friends and family can file affidavits saying whether or not they
have always regarded the couple as married. Normally, the couple will
also need to provide deeds showing the title to the property that is held
jointly by both parties and bank statements and checks that show that
they have joint ownership of their accounts. Unfortunately, common law
marriage is not recognized in the United States. That means that regardless
of how long a couple lives together, they are not considered married unless
they go through the process of obtaining a marriage license and saying
vows before an officiant who can also sign the certificate.
If you would like to form a common law marriage, then you will have to
travel to a state that recognizes arrangements of this type. These states
are Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Maine, New Hampshire,
Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas, and Utah. In California,
you will need to obtain a marriage license at a local family courthouse
and have it filled out and signed by both a witness and an officiant in
order to get your marriage legalized. If you need more information about
this, or if you have been living with a partner for years but are moving
on and need assistance with
property distribution, then contact a Los Angeles divorce lawyer at Claery & Green for assistance!