Have you ever worried that you might be "common law married"?
With rent as outrageous as it is in Denver, you might see it as advantageous to move in with your significant other. But after a year or two, when somebody jokes "you guys are pretty much married," you'll suddenly remember that "common law marriage"
does exist. But before you start packing up your Peyton-autographed football, stashing cash, or relocating all of your jewelry, don't worry -- it's not what you think. You can't be deemed married just because your apartment (once bachelor pad) now has nice furniture, matching towels, an herb garden, and a candle to hide the smell of the morning's post-night-out-drinking gastrointestinal torture.
The State of Colorado
does recognize common law marriage though. So what exactly needs to happen for you to be considered common law married? Well, a few things. First of all, you both have to be over the age of 18 (which sounds obvious), but if you do it the traditional way, you can actually get married at 16 with the consent of both parents. The next stipulation is that both parties must agree that they are husband and wife and make it known to the public at large. So maybe that Facebook status actually could mean something? Lastly, the two parties must co-habitate as husband and wife after agreeing that they are, in fact, hitched.
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Other factors that could be noted but don't qualify you for common law are:
- Filing income taxes as married (which is obviously illegal if you're not married)
- Buying a house together or having a joint bank account
- Living together with the intent to get married
- Co-habitating for more than six months
You can also get into a legal bind for adding your partner to your health insurance or filing taxes together. If this information appears in front of a judge, they may have to report you for committing tax and/or insurance fraud, and you might be forced to choose between a common law marriage or fraud.
So if you're trying to save money by living together, which a lot of couples do, you're good.
