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What are Texas Laws for Common Law Marriages
Most states don't recognize common law marriages, but Texas is one of the exceptions. While your Texas common law marriage may or may not be recognized in other states, a Granbury attorney
can advise you on your particular situation. An overview of Texas law on common law marriage may be helpful.
Requirements
An informal marriage, often referred to as a common law marriage, can be established in two ways in Texas. First, the parties can declare and register an informal marriage. The official form includes a sworn statement that the parties agree to be married and, in Texas, represent to others that they are married. Secondly, the parties can agree to be married and, after the agreement, live together in Texas as husband and wife and represent in Texas to others that they are married.
A person who is less than 18 years old can't execute a declaration of informal marriage or be a party to an informal marriage. A person can't enter into an informal marriage if he or she is married to someone else. Having children together doesn't create a common law marriage. The requirements for a common law or informal marriage are the same for both heterosexual and homosexual couples.
Proving a Common Law Marriage
A recorded declaration or a certificate of informal marriage as provided by Texas law is sufficient evidence to establish the marriage, unless it is rebutted. Proving that you and another person agreed to be married and represent as spouses may be more difficult. You can present the following as proof of your common law or informal marriage:
- Statements by others that you and your common law spouse told them you were married
- Use of your common law spouse's last name
- Filing joint tax returns as spouses
- Making joint purchases
- Including your common law spouse on your health insurance
- Naming your common law spouse as a beneficiary on your life insurance policy
- Listing your common law spouse on applications for public benefits
If the parties separate for more than two years and take no action to end the informal marriage, it is presumed that the couple never intended to be married. This makes it more difficult to prove the common law marriage existed.
Divorce
Once a common law marriage has been established, divorce is necessary to end the partnership. You must prove a ground for divorce, such as cruelty, adultery, or living apart (without cohabitation) for at least three years. You and your common law spouse must agree on issues such as property division, alimony, child custody, and child support, or the issues will be decided by a judge.
Inheritance
Texas is a community property state. If your common law spouse dies, you get half of the community property of the marriage, regardless of what your spouse's will says. You also get to continue to live in the marital home. If your spouse does not have a will, you're entitled to a share of his or her estate.
If you have a question about whether your common law marriage is valid or about your rights as a common law spouse, call a divorce attorney with GIG Law.
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Stephenville Office:
Phone:
254-965-5069
TOLL FREE: 800-965-8560
Address: 505 North Graham Street, Stephenville, Texas 76401
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