If a couple lives together(unmarried) for 5 years, have children?

Betty M

It's called a common law marriage. Only certain states honor a common law marriage and I believe most of them require you to live together as husband and wife for 7+ years for it to become a common law marriage.

If you are using your legal name and you are not telling people you are married, then the state probably (not sure) would just consider you, two people who are living together and have illegitimate children together.

Even if you are in a common law marriage and you split up, I think the only thing you have to do is request the court to order the visiting parent to pay child support. I have never heard of someone who's been in a common law marriage, having to file for a divorce. But if you lived with this person in a common law marriage for 10+ years, I have heard of women getting financial support for them self from their common law husband and a share of their joint assets.

The best thing to do is to search the internet for common law marriages in the two states you lived with him and find out if those states have common law marriages and how long you must live with the man for it to become a common law marriage. I really don't think 5 years, is long enough.

Kristiane-Cubical ninja

Some states have common law marriages, which would mean that yes you would be considered common law if you lived in one of those states currently.
You would get a divorce.

Rallie Florencio C

Some country consider a seven year togetherness as "common law" partnership.with equal rights to property.
Some greedy blood relatives of a deceased however, would try to pull some strings to prevent the partner from inheriting whatever wealth was left to the survivor even if it was conjugally built; arguing that the survivor has no legal claim as next of kin. That is what greed always do to people.
Watch out gays for this system for you are the always the biggest loser oftentimes.

Tiny Jr.

It depends on what state you live in and what the common law laws are.

Maria

Well, most say common law marriage still exist, but if you were to ever try to take someone to court when you haven't exchanged vows you will see the real truth.

You need to seal the deal if your wanting some kind of certainty because in todays world "he who has the best lawyer and the most cash ALWAYS wins".

willn2pleaze

check out the laws in those states. protect yourself. no matter what you will have to pay child support if taken to court, other than that you should have too much to worry about.

golfgirl3

It is called a common law marriage, but it varies from state, so check your state laws. Also, you would go through the courts as you would a standard marriage.

mrs_G

It differs by state, but I think it's seven years minimum.
I'm not sure though, because my sate (WI) does not recognize common-law marriage.

Tricia G

No. They are considered to be shack up honeys and not husband and wife.

sheloves_dablues

You are considered legally married if you have legally gotten married.

The couple you describe may be considered common-law spouses.

Annabethh <33

they need to be legally married with a minister and priest... i know people who have a 4 year old and they've been together 7 years, but they're still not married

Logan

The following states recognize common law marriages.. The states you mentioned are not in the mix so I would say they are not common law married at all and are just shacking up!.. link to website I found info on below..

Alabama
Colorado
District of Columbia
Georgia (if created before 1/1/97)
Idaho (if created before 1/1/96)
Iowa
Kansas
Montana
New Hampshire (for inheritance purposes only)
Ohio (if created before 10/10/91)
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania (if created before 1/1/05)
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Utah

Janet W

It depends on the State you live in now if they have common law marriage or not. Check it out. You are kind of irresponsible to have children outside of marriage but that's another question.

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