In the USA, common-law marriage was affirmed by the Supreme Court in Meister v. Moore (1877).

The term "common-law marriage" has been used to describe various types of domestic partnership since the 1990's.

Essentially, when a couple has been residing together at the same address for a fixed period of time (depends on where) you are considered 'common-law'. This gives you the same rights as a traditionally married couple, such as spousal benefits, but also Revenue must be calculated together, etc.

Not every State in the US allows this:

States that recognize Common-Law Marriage

* Alabama
* Colorado
* District of Columbia
* Iowa
* Kansas
* Montana
* Oklahoma
* Rhode Island
* South Carolina
* Texas
* Utah

States that recognize certain forms of Common-Law Marriage

* Georgia (if before January 1, '97)
* Idaho (if before January 1, '96)
* New Hampshire (inheritance only)
* Ohio (if before October 10, '91)
* Pennsylvania (if before January 1, '05)
Source(s):
http://www.expertlaw.com/library/family_law/common_law.html

Permalink | Report