Americans are steadily delaying the age of first marriage. From 1983 to 2023, the median age increased by about five years to 30.2 years for men and 28.4 years for women, according to the U.S. Census.

“Well, we were never actually married, but we were basically married. Common law married.” Few words raise more red flags for estate planners and probate attorneys than phrases like this. Marriage is ...

Do you assume common law marriage exists everywhere? At some point growing up I "learned" that any couple who lives together for seven years automatically becomes a common law marriage, and never ...

Does Social Security recognize common law or do you have to be legally married? My potential life partner is currently on disability collecting Social Security in a neighboring state. If the spousal ...

In states that recognize common law marriages, you must meet a few requirements to gain marital status, but even these vary by state. Some of the requirements: You must live together for an amount of ...

Does Social Security recognize common law or do you have to be legally married? My potential life partner is currently on disability collecting Social Security in a neighboring state. If the spousal ...