Stuart Skok Law LLC 2026-04-21T12:54:03Z https://www.stuartskoklaw.com/feed/atom/ WordPress /wp-content/uploads/sites/1604759/2024/10/cropped-SSL_horiLogo_color_Site_icon_D03-32x32.png On Behalf of Stuart Skok Law LLC https://www.stuartskoklaw.com/?p=46165 2024-09-25T02:11:50Z 2022-05-13T01:59:56Z

Common-law marriages may occur in some states when individuals agree to reside together as husband and wife and publicly hold themselves out as husband and wife without a marriage ceremony and certificate. Couples in a common-law marriage have the same rights as other married couples, including the right to divorce. In Maryland, common-law marriages have never been permitted.  Maryland law requires a religious or civil ceremony to create a valid marriage. However, if a common-law marriage is established in a foreign jurisdiction which accepts such marriages as valid, such as the District of Columbia or Colorado, Maryland will recognize that marriage as a valid marriage. For example, if a valid common-law marriage exists in the District of Columbia or Colorado and the couple later resides in Maryland, the foreign common-law marriage will be recognized as a valid marriage under the laws of Maryland.]]>