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Marriage Without the Hoopla! Texas Common Law Marriage is a Thing
Common Law Marriage does exist in Texas, but there is more to it than you might think.
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What is Common Law Marriage or Informal Marriage?
a legally recognized marriage between two people who have not purchased a marriage license or had their marriage solemnized by a ceremony
When you think of Common Law Marriage, you think, "oh y'all have been together and lived together so you're Common Law. "
That's not exactly how it works. There are some things you do have to do and have to follow.
Here is what you have to do to be Common Law married:
- You cannot already be married to anyone else at the time your marriage was created.
- Each person in the marriage must be over 18 years of age when you created the marriage.
- You both agree to be married
- You have represented yourself in public as married
- Live as a married couple
For your marriage to be legally recognized you'll need a Declaration of Informal Marriage.
If you don't want all the hoopla of a wedding, getting a marriage license or even going to the Justice of the Peace, all you have to do to be married, is say I am married to you, and your partner has to agree, you have to let friends, family, and the public know you're married, and you have to live together as a married couple. Congratulations, you're Common Law.
What about Divorce?
In Texas a divorce for Common Law Marriage is the same for a Formal Marriage.
You saved money on the wedding, but you won't save money on a divorce. So I hope your Common Law is happily ever after.
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