Prevented Costly Common Law Marriage Court Fight

Colorado is one of the few states that recognizes common law marriages. Essentially, if a couple is together for some time, lives together, commingled finances and properties, and holds each other up as spouses, a court could recognize their union as legitimate. 

However, the opposite is true of dissolving a common law marriage. There is no “common-law divorce” option. Rather, exiting a common-law marriage can be legally rigid and even more complicated than a standard divorce. 

We recently represented a client whose long-term partner filed for divorce. The couple had been together for many years, but never officially tied the knot. 

Recognizing the common law status would further complicate this couple’s separation, our family law attorneys pursued an out-of-court settlement. Resolving the legal matter outside the courtroom was a more fitting end to this long-term relationship, and saved our client a significant amount of time and money.