Is Washington a state with common Law Marriage:- Many couples have children, own property, and cohabitate for an extended period of time. However, there was never a formal ceremony, a licence application or an expensive ring. In the end, there was no union. Although this isn't particularly uncommon, there are a lot of myths about these circumstances and what happens when a couple separates.
Understanding your rights is crucial if you are divorcing a long-term partner but are not married. Speak with an expert family law attorney.
What is a Washington common-law marriage?
Without getting a marriage licence or attending a formal wedding ceremony, a common-law marriage is a legal arrangement between two people who live together, share marital duties, and identify as a married couple when they see the public.
Although it is recognised in the District of Columbia and a few US states, this relationship is also known as an informal marriage. Colorado, South Carolina, Utah, Kansas, Montana, and Iowa are a few states that practise.
Those who wish to avoid the standard marriage formalities and associated costs while still seeking official recognition of their relationship have the option of entering into a common-law marriage. A few rights and advantages that common-law couples can take use of are as follows:
- Benefits related to healthcare, like hospital visits
- Social protection
- Child support
- Making a medical emergency decision for a partner
- The ability to inherit
- Spouse assistance
- Tax advantages
- Ownership rights
Do Common-Law Marriages Get Recognition in the State of Washington?
Common-law unions are not recognised in Washington. You do not have the same privileges as a legally married couple, even after cohabiting for more than ten or even several decades. You cannot get married under common law even if you live together, have children, and use the same last name. This kind of marriage is still legal in just ten states and the District of Columbia.
Nonetheless, Washington State has a notion known as “Committed Intimate Relationship” (CIR) that is somewhat comparable to common-law marriage. This philosophy allows for the treatment of a pair as legally married in some situations but not in others.
Washington’s Domestic Partnership?
A Washington domestic partnership, also known as a state-registered domestic partnership (SRDP), is a formal relationship between two individuals who share a common household but are not legally married. State-registered domestic partners are entitled to the same treatment as married spouses under RCW 26.60.015.
As per the law, these partners are entitled to all benefits, rights, immunity, and privileges that are lawfully awarded to married individuals under the laws of Washington.
All of these clauses shouldn’t, nevertheless, clash with federal legislation. For instance, registered domestic partners are not permitted to use a married filing status while submitting federal tax returns.
In Washington, what constitutes a committed intimate relationship?
Two people who live together, share responsibilities, and want to be in a relationship akin to marriage are said to be in a committed intimate relationship (CIR). Although there are no provisions for a CIR in state law, Washington courts acknowledge these kinds of ties. Washington lacks a set procedure or requirements for qualifying a CIR. But courts take into account the following:
- Exclusive and ongoing cohabitation throughout the partnership
- Cooperative financial practises and schemes, including co-housing and co-funding accounts
- The desire of both parties to embark into a relationship that resembles marriage, such as going public as spouses, making joint wills, or starting a family
In many aspects, a CIR is comparable to a common-law marriage. Not all relevant factors may be required to reach a decision, even if courts may take into account all relevant factors to confirm the existence of a CIR.
What Distinguishes a Common-Law Marriage from a Committed Intimate relationship?
Many distinctions exist. Limited rights conveyed by a CIR is the primary drawback. An individual in a CIR does not have the same rights as a spouse, including the ability to make decisions about healthcare and end-of-life care, receive special parental privileges, and cash social security payments.
A CIR’s admissible scope is severely constrained, which brings us to our second point. CIR is merely an official means of asset distribution.
This implies that the court lacks the ability to impose spousal maintenance (alimony) or award legal fees in the event of a divorce where a CIR is present.