Common Law Marriage in New York

My sister has been living in a common law marriage in New York for over twenty-five years and now that they are getting older it's time to find out if common law marriages are legal in New York State. If so, what are the benefits a woman is entitled to if and when her life partner should die? Especially if he is still married to his wife!

Dorothy Huhn said:

My sister has been living in a common law marriage in New York for over twenty-five years and now that they are getting older it's time to find out if common law marriages are legal in New York State. If so, what are the benefits a woman is entitled to if and when her life partner should die? Especially if he is still married to his wife!

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My response:

New York is not, and never has been, a "common law" marriage State. Your sister has merely been "shacking up" with this man for 25 years. That's it.

IAAL