Because common law marriages are recognized in Wheat Ridge and Jefferson County, we are often contacted with questions about how common law marriages are ended legally. According to Colorado law, there is no process specific to ending a common law marriage. Instead, the parties involved would need to file for divorce, just like a traditionally married couple. Some think that because they are not traditionally married in the first place, they should not have to worry about severing the relationship legally, but when property, finances and children are involved, this is not always the best idea.
Criteria for a Lakewood Common Law Marriage
Remember, in order to be legally recognized as having a common law marriage, a Jefferson County judge will look for the following things:
- The parties must live together
- The parties must have agreed to be married (a verbal agreement is sufficient)
- The parties must present themselves to the public as married (wearing a wedding band, introducing the other as husband or wife)
If both parties are not on the same page about getting a legal dissolution of common law marriage, this can make things exponentially harder. If you want to make sure your interests are protected, contact the best Lakewood divorce attorneys from the Pearman Law Firm. We specialize in helping our clients through all types of divorce situations, including common law marriage dissolutions.
Steps to End a Common Law Marriage in Westminster
In order to legally end a Westminster common law marriage, you must first prove to the courts that you had a common law marriage. This is where an experienced divorce attorney can be vital. Even if one party is contesting that there was ever a common law marriage, we can use jointly filed tax returns, change of name paperwork, insurance paperwork listing the other as a spouse, joint financial accounts, and other important documentation to prove to the judge that you were in a common law relationship. Once the judge rules the relationship as a common law marriage, the divorce proceedings can move forward and spousal maintenance payment, property division, child support, and child custody can be agreed upon, or can be left in the hands of the judge if the parties cannot reach an agreement.
If you are looking to end your common law marriage legally through divorce proceedings, contact the best family law attorneys from the Pearman Law Firm at 720-259-9528 today.
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