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Common Law Marriage Arizona

Common Law Marriage Arizona

Common Law Marriage Arizona: Everything You Need to Know

In Arizona, common law marriage is quite a contentious issue. So, what is common law marriage, and how does it work in Arizona? This article will attempt to answer these questions as comprehensively as possible.

What is Common Law Marriage?

Common law marriage is a term first used in the 19th century to describe a marriage that takes place without a formal ceremony or the issuance of a marriage license. Some states in the US recognize and provide legal rights for couples that are living together as husband and wife, even though they may not have gone through the formal steps needed for a traditional marriage.

In other words, common law marriage refers to a marriage that is not formally recognized, but that has accrued certain legal rights over time. Common law marriage is not recognized by all states in the US, and the rules surrounding it can vary significantly from state to state.

Arizona Common Law Marriage

In Arizona, common law marriage is not recognized. The state abolished common law marriage in 1913, with the passage of a law that mandated that a couple had to obtain a marriage license and conduct a formal ceremony before they could be legally considered married in the state. Since then, Arizona has maintained this legal position and does not recognize common law marriages entered into post-1913.

However, Arizona does recognize common law marriages that were valid and established prior to the abolishing of common law marriage in the state in 1913. The legal basis for that recognition is what is known as “grandfathered clauses.”” These clauses are designed to protect the rights of those individuals who entered into legally binding common law marriages before such marriages were forbidden. In Arizona, post-1913 common law marriages are subject to the same legal treatment as that of unmarried cohabiting couples, irrespective of how long they may have lived together.

It is important to note that establishing an Arizona common law marriage is nearly impossible, as statutory law requires couples to obtain a marriage license and conduct a formal ceremony. The only common law marriage recognized in Arizona is one established before 1913. However, this does not mean that couples that are unmarried cohabitants are without legal rights.

Legal Protections for Unmarried Cohabitants

While Arizona does not recognize common law marriage, unmarried cohabitants have certain legal protections that can help them deal with some of the issues that arise from their living situations. Below are some legal protections that unmarried cohabitants have in Arizona:

1. Property rights: If you live together with your partner, and you acquire property together, then you are entitled to certain property rights, irrespective of your marital status. In Arizona, an unmarried cohabitant is entitled to inherit his or her partner’s property if he or she dies without leaving a will. However, it is essential to keep records of all financial transactions, to avoid disputes that may arise.

2. Child custody and child support: If unmarried cohabitant couples have children, they have the same rights and obligations towards their children as a married couple, including the right to seek child custody and child support from the other parent.

3. Insurance benefits: In Arizona, some employers grant domestic partner benefits to unmarried cohabitant couples.

4. Medical decisions: Unmarried cohabitants can make medical decisions regarding each other’s medical treatment, even if there is no formal Durable Power of Attorney in place.

5. Healthcare coverage: In the state of Arizona, domestic partners can register with their companies and get health insurance coverage.

In summary, while Arizona does not recognize common law marriage, unmarried cohabitants enjoy some legal protections that may assist them in dealing with issues that arise out of their living arrangements.

Conclusion

Common law marriage in Arizona is a contentious issue. The state does not recognize post-1913 common law marriages. However, Arizona recognizes common law marriages that were valid and established prior to the abolishing of the common law marriage. Unmarried cohabitants have certain legal rights that protect them from some of the issues that arise from their living situations.

It is essential to seek professional legal advice when dealing with legal issues such as property, child custody, and healthcare. The information on this article provides a basic understanding of common law marriage Arizona, and unmarried cohabitants’ legal protections. It is necessary to explore what rights and protections are available based on individual situations. This will help unmarried cohabitants to understand their legal position and take the appropriate legal steps to protect them.


 

Common law marriages do not exist in the state of Arizona.

Regardless of the time spent cohabitating or shared property, common law marriages in Arizona are not recognized and the only way to be married is through the appropriate ceremony.

Laws forbid common law marriage in Arizona by setting specific standards for a wedding to be recognized as well as conditions that when present would make a marriage invalid and subject to annulment.

Common law marriages in Arizona do not factor into child support obligations, which exist regardless of the marital status of the biological parents.

What are the three elements of a recognized marriage in Arizona?

The Arizona Revised Statute 25-111 notes that three things must be secured in order for a marriage to be valid:

– A marriage license

– An individual authorized by law to marry couples solemnizing the marriage

– Marriage solemnized before the license expires

Common-law marriages in Arizona would contain none of these provisions and as such, no individual can be part of a common-law marriage in AZ.

Will out-of-state common-law marriages count as common law marriage in AZ?

Yes, the state will recognize a common-law out-of-state marriage as a common-law marriage in Arizona, as long as that marriage in that state is valid under the laws of that state.

This does not extend to same-sex couples from any state. This is not an absolute provision but rather expresses the possibility that the state may recognize a common-law marriage in Arizona as long as it originates from one of the few states that still allow it.

Is there a community property law related to common law marriage in AZ?

A common question that accompanies concerns about common law marriage in Arizona is the presence of a community property law, meaning that the surviving spouse is responsible for the debts of the deceased.

Though Arizona has this law, since there is no common law marriage in Arizona, then any individual that cohabitates will not be responsible for the debts of the deceased.

In the state of Arizona, as in many other states, there is a form of legal partnership known as common law marriage. Common law marriage is a type of informal marriage that is recognized by the legal system of a state even though the couple did not go through a formal marriage ceremony. It is also referred to as “marriage by habit and repute” or simply “living together”.

Under Arizona law, couples who meet certain qualifications may be considered to be in a common-law marriage. These qualifications include:

  • The couple must live together and act as if they are married.

  • The couple must intend to be married to each other.

  • The couple must hold themselves out to the public as being married.

If all three of these requirements are met, the couple is considered to be married in the eyes of the law and is entitled to all the same legal rights and responsibilities as a formally married couple.

It is important to note that not all states recognize common law marriage. In fact, Arizona is one of only a handful of states that still allow for it. Some states have abolished common law marriage altogether, while others have grandfathered in existing common law marriages but no longer allow new ones to be formed.

One of the advantages of common-law marriage is that it provides legal recognition and protections for couples who may not have gone through a formal ceremony, or who may not have been able to do so for various reasons. For example, if a couple cannot afford a wedding or if one or both partners have religious objections to formal marriage, they may choose to live together and be recognized as a common-law married couple instead.

Another advantage of common-law marriage is that it can simplify certain legal matters, such as property ownership and inheritance. For example, if one partner dies without a will, their common-law spouse may be entitled to inherit their assets just as a formally married spouse would be.

However, there are also potential disadvantages to this type of partnership. For example, if the couple decides to separate or divorce, they may have a more difficult time dividing assets or determining custody of children if they were never formally married.

In Arizona, the process for establishing a common law marriage is relatively simple, but it is important to understand the requirements and potential consequences before doing so. Here are the steps:

  1. Live together and act as if you are married

The first requirement for common law marriage is that the couple must be living together and acting as if they are married. This means that they share a household, contribute to each other’s expenses, and engage in other behaviors that would be expected of a married couple.

  1. Intend to be married to each other

The second requirement is that both partners must intend to be married to each other. This means that they have agreed to be in a committed, long-term relationship with the intention of eventually being considered married.

  1. Hold yourselves out to the public as being married

The third requirement is that the couple must hold themselves out to the public as being married. This can take many forms, such as using the same last name, referring to each other as “husband” or “wife”, or filing joint tax returns.

  1. Proving a common law marriage

If a couple meets all three of these requirements, they may be considered to be in a common law marriage. However, proving the existence of a common law marriage can sometimes be difficult, especially if there is a dispute.

To prove a common law marriage in Arizona, the couple may need to provide evidence such as joint bank account statements, shared utility bills, or witness testimony. It may also be helpful to prepare an affidavit stating that both partners intended to be married and held themselves out as such.

  1. Legal rights and responsibilities

Once a common law marriage has been established, the partners are entitled to all the same legal rights and responsibilities as a formally married couple. This includes property rights, inheritance rights, and the ability to file joint tax returns.

However, it is important to note that the couple may also be subject to the same legal obligations as a formally married couple. For example, they may be responsible for each other’s debts and may need to go through a formal divorce process if they decide to separate.

In conclusion, common law marriage is a type of informal marriage that is recognized by the legal system of some states, including Arizona. To establish a common law marriage, the couple must live together and act as if they are married, intend to be married to each other, and hold themselves out to the public as being married. If these requirements are met, the couple is entitled to all the same legal rights and responsibilities as a formally married couple. However, it is important to understand the potential advantages and disadvantages of this type of partnership before deciding to pursue it.