Common-Law Marriage

Brenda mentioned common-law marriage after yesterday's post where I mentioned forgetting that I'm not married to Steve. I had looked it up a few years ago out of curiosity but I looked it up again yesterday, to see if I was remembering accurately. New York does not recognize common-law marriage for it's citizens but does recognize common-law marriages from other states that do.

It's the criteria that I found so interesting.

1. Ascertain if the state/country you are living in recognizes common-law marriages. Only a few states plus the District of Columbia recognize common-law marriages.

   Currently, common-law marriages are recognized by: Alabama, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah, and Washington, D.C.

2. Generally, there are four requirements for a valid common-law marriage. Just living together isn't enough to validate a common-law marriage.
3. Requirement One:
   You must live together.
4. Requirement Two:
   You must present yourselves to others as a married couple. Some ways of doing this are by using the same last name, referring to one another as husband or wife, and filing a joint tax return.
5. Requirement Three:
   Although the time frame is not defined, you have to be together for a significant period of time.
6. Requirement Four:
   You must intend to be married.

Steve and I have Requirements 1 and 3 knocked out, assuming 16 years is considered significant. Oh wait, we've been together 16 years, only living together for 9. Since Requirement 3 is so vague, not sure about that one.

But my big question is - if you can satisfy all of those requirements, especially #4, why not just get married? (Or does #4 mean both parties have to want the common law marriage so someone isn't in the marriage against their will?)

I told Steve about the company I work for not recognizing significant others - his company does, and it's a major corporation. So I've decided to go all Norma Rae on this and do a little research and depending on what I find, write a suggestion that the company review their policy, citing the research. It's really not about my two bereavement days at all - I honestly feel it's the principle here. This is obviously a hot topic these days with gay couples so I'm sure I'll find lots to read. Interesting stuff, these changing times.

~ ~ ~

Steve and I set up my craft show booth last night - just the big stuff. I'll go there early this morning to set up my product. To me, the show looks much bigger than last time. Some vendors are hinky about doing a first-time show. Me, I like getting in the ground floor of something and I had a feeling this was going to be a well-run terrific show. I'm in a different spot which is unusual; most times a vendor is given their same spot again unless they ask to be changed. But I think the layout is totally different - and one could make the argument that changing the location of vendors can add interest to the show. I like my new spot just as well - I think it's going to be a good show. I'm very excited - doing a repeat indoor show feels like I've come home to the mother ship!

I just counted - there are 86 vendors. I'd have to pull my paperwork from last year but I bet there were 50ish last year. There are a good number of out of town vendors too - so you'll see stuff you've never seen before. I love that.

And off I go! Please stop by and say hi if you're in the area.

Saturday, October 17, 10:00-6:00

Sunday, October 18, 10:00-5:00

Junior League of Rochester Holiday Market

The Fair & Expo Center, 2695 East Henrietta Road, Rochester, NY 14467