Common-Law Marriage Legal Meaning and Definition

Here is a simplified definition of the legal term Common-Law Marriage.

Common-Law Marriage (noun): A type of non-traditional relationship status where a couple lives together as husband and wife for a certain length of time, without officially getting married, yet the law may still recognize them as married. Even though they haven't undergone a formal marriage ceremony, they can still enjoy marital rights such as property ownership, inheritance, and spousal benefits in certain states. Not all regions or states recognize common-law marriages.