The, eh, stuff that marriages are made of...

[missourimary]

Originally Posted by Aquila

You bring up valid points. With common law marriages, a common law marriage isn't recognized if a member of the couple can be found to have been previously married. In the case of a series of common law marriages, should a divorce proceed, evidence of a prior common law marriage in another state or what have you would nullify the union entirely. I guess the deceived spouse could then sue for damages and reparations in civil court.

But only with greater cost and time for the deceived spouse.

I don't know about all churches, but I've never known of any, either denominal or OP, that accepted common law marriage as adequate. They might not consider them to be "living in sin", but neither would they condone continuing without a legally sanctioned and liscensed marriage.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by missourimary

But only with greater cost and time for the deceived spouse.

I don't know about all churches, but I've never known of any, either denominal or OP, that accepted common law marriage as adequate. They might not consider them to be "living in sin", but neither would they condone continuing without a legally sanctioned and liscensed marriage.

Sis. Mary, the point is that in these states common law marriages are indeed legally binding unions. The only issue is that the state hasn't "solemnized" said unions in a civil ceremony. In these states for one to legally terminate a common law marriage they must file for dissolution or file for divorce as with any "solemnized" marriage. If these unions are pefectly legal and recognized on the same level as any ceremonialized marriage...why do the churches you speak of not accept or recognize them?