common law marriage pa

me and my boyfriend have been living together in pa for over a year and have a baby together are we common law? what are my rights if i leave the relationship?

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Originally posted by brandy1
me and my boyfriend have been living together in pa for over a year and have a baby together are we common law? what are my rights if i leave the relationship?

My response:

In Pennsylvania, a common-law marriage may be established if a man and woman exchange words that indicate that they intend to be married at the present time.

(Whatever the hell that means !)

Anyway, what "rights" did you want to know about ? There's probably hundreds of rights, duties, and responsibilities in your situation; however, your question is too vague to give you an answer. So, do you have a "specific" question you'd like to have answered ?

IAAL


[Edited by I AM ALWAYS LIABLE on 02-20-2001 at 11:24 AM]

this is for i am always liable im new at this and dont know how to reply and stuff yet so im trying this. i bought a van for us and put it on my credit card and didnt know it could be in 2 peoples names so its in his and he says i cant have the van cause its in his name is that true? and i let him use my credit cards his name is on one and he says he doesnt have to pay for any charges is that true?

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

Originally posted by brandy1
this is for i am always liable im new at this and dont know how to reply and stuff yet so im trying this. i bought a van for us and put it on my credit card and didnt know it could be in 2 peoples names so its in his and he says i cant have the van cause its in his name is that true? and i let him use my credit cards his name is on one and he says he doesnt have to pay for any charges is that true?

My response:

I fully understand and appreciate the fact that you are new to this. I also appreciate the fact that you are confused about your situation and need some guidance. That's okay.

I can see from your response that you are also confused about your priorities - - that is, you appear to be more concerned about vehicles and credit cards, than you are about what's going to happen with you and your child if you should leave.

Also, you appear to be confused about whether or not you are married under Pennsylvania "Common Law".

Therefore, here's what I want you to do :

Open your Yellow Pages, under "Attorneys". In that section, you'll see many, many, attorneys advertising "Free Initial Consultation". Call one or more of those attorneys and explain your situation. They'll either talk to you over the phone, or have you come into their office. Either way, you definately need to have a "one on one" discussion - - to determine whether you are married, and to determine your priorities. This will help you to decide which direction to take in your specific situation.

I wish you the best of luck.

IAAL

[LegalBeagle]

Originally posted by I AM ALWAYS LIABLE

In Pennsylvania, a common-law marriage may be established if a man and woman exchange words that indicate that they intend to be married at the present time.

(Whatever the hell that means !)

You know, everytime I look at the PA Common Law Marriage stuff it confuses the hell out of me..

[I AM ALWAYS LIABLE]

My response:

LB, you're not just whisling Dixie on that issue.

I don't agree with "Common Law" marriage statutes because they are so vague and ambiguous - - that is, no one can tell if they are married or not. In standard marriage States, there's no confusion. You say "I do" and that's that.

"Common Law" marriage statutes have long ago outlived their usefulness and meaning - - that is, during the "horse and buggy days" they were needed during the very early years of this country's "youth" and when preachers were few and far between, and when it was miles and miles, and days and days, between towns and big cities. But, that is no longer the case.

If "Common Law" marriage statutes must remain on the books, for whatever reason, the only one that makes some sort of sense to me, and allows a person to know whether or not they are married, is the Texas version. At least in Texas, a couple are required to register their "marriage" with the County Clerk's office and, in that way, a couple knows whether or not they are married.

But, Pennsylvania's version, along with the other States' versions, leave a lot to be desired, and cause more confusion then they're worth.

Common law statutes have outlived their usefulness and really need to be taken "off the books".

IAAL

[LegalBeagle]

I totally agree.. just think, if AR or OK had the same CLM statutes as PA, every family would have 8 new marriages a week !

to i am always liable my priorities are straight im not the one who wants to end the relationship he is. so the only left to do is see who gets what. and thats why i wanted to know because there is no turning back on this relationship thank you brandy