common-law marriage

common-law marriage
A union of two people not formalized in the customary manner as prescribed by law but created by an agreement to marry followed by cohabitation.

Dictionary from West's Encyclopedia of American Law. 2005.


common-law marriage
A union of two people not formalized in the customary manner as prescribed by law but created by an agreement to marry followed by cohabitation.

Short Dictionary of (mostly American) Legal Terms and Abbreviations.

common-law marriage
n.
   an agreement between a man and woman to live together as husband and wife without any legal formalities, followed and/or preceded by cohabitation on a regular basis (usually for seven years). Common-law marriage is legal in Alabama, Colorado, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas and Utah, thereby recognizing a marriage for purposes of giving the other party the rights of a spouse, including inheritance or employee benefits. Such informal partnerships are recognized by some local governments for purposes of the rights of a spouse under employment contracts and pension rights even where the state does not recognize this as a marriage.
   See also: cohabitation

Law dictionary. . 2013.

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Look at other dictionaries:

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