Common Law Marriage Lawyer

When couples who have never married are separating, they can find themselves facing complications under Colorado’s common law marriage laws. Depending on how your relationship fits under a variety of factors, you may find your relationship considered as a marriage. Some of those factors include:

• Did the couple hold themselves out as married?
• Did they file joint tax returns?
• Did the couple wear wedding rings?
• Did school pick-up forms list both parents?

You do not need to have held yourselves out as married. The length of your relationship is also not a factor that is considered. You may have been together for a relatively short period of time and still considered married under the common law.

For same-sex couples, the changes caused by the Supreme Court’s Obergefell decision can mean that they may face the same possibility of finding themselves married under the common law when that was not their intention.

At Tanis McGonegal Family Law, P.C., we have the extensive experience people need to be able to navigate effectively through the most difficult family law situations. If you are leaving a relationship that you feel is a common law marriage or you are unexpectedly facing the possibility that the relationship you were in was a common law marriage, our lawyers can help you effectively pursue the best possible outcome to your situation.

A determination that you are married under the common law can impact a large number of other issues, including:

• Child custody
• Child support
• Spousal maintenance
• Property division
• Parental relocation

If you have questions regarding whether your relationship was a common law marriage, turn to the Broomfield law firm of Tanis McGonegal Family Law, P.C., for representation that can truly help you. To schedule a free 20-minute telephone consultation, call (303) 465-4605 or contact us online.