survey for school paper-common law marriages?

I think they're very misunderstood (there isn't a "magic number of years" and then *poof* you're common-law married).

I think they are less relevant nowadays where getting a legal marriage is less of an issue than it used to be. It used to be, as I understand it, used more because there wasn't a JP or someone who could legalize the marriage, so common law status was used to recognize the partner as the legal spouse in the absence of a legal ceremony.

That being said, we legalized our common law status because of paperwork when we were buying a house, and we are having our formal wedding this fall, so it was a good option for us and suited our needs. We wanted to plan a nice wedding, but circumstances came up that being legal spouses meant a significant difference in our mortgage options.

=)

im for it because sometimes the circumstances dont permit a wedding at the time like lack of money or something of that nature..i think the eventual goal should be a legal marriage as common law is harder to recognize in the matter of a break up or custody of children........to each their own.

Common law marriages are a huge misconception and aren't often recognized through the courts as much. Unless you are filing taxes together, using one name, and living as man and wife, you are pretty much deemed co-habitants.