When it comes to building a home, you need to know what goes in to the foundation. This doesn’t just apply to the construction process, but also the inner workings of a living relationship with someone. Common law marriage illinois is a fairly misunderstood concept, which has only recently become a matter of debate in Illinois. With marriage being a part of the societal norm, many people don’t realize that they may not be legally recognized as each other’s spouse, despite having lived as married individuals for a significant period of time. These circumstances can create an unexpected headache for those who have invested time, energy, and money into their future with this person.
In order to have a common law marriage in Illinois, you must meet a few requirements. The first is that you must live together as a married couple. The second is that you must present yourselves as husband and wife to the public as a whole. The third is that you must intend to be married. In all 3 of these cases, the state of Illinois requires proof. Luckily, this process is rather straightforward. Some of the standard documents used to prove common law marriage include financial documents, joint bills, a joint lease, joint insurance documents, etc. Of course, you will be required to show that you lived together for a lengthy period of time, but the requirements of Illinois law are a little more forgiving than that of other states.
It is important to know the implications of your relationship no matter how you choose to exist within it. When you’re both investing in a home, tending to the needs of the family, and making decisions together, the choices you make in your romantic lives can carry over to your day-to-day lives. This means you need to know whether your relationship was legal under the eyes of the state of Illinois, even if you happen to live in a house ruled by the laws of another state. In some contexts, the partner may be required to provide financial support, or vise versa. In a traditional marriage, the assets of each individual become a part of a singular pot. However, when it comes to living arrangements that have not been officially regulated by the law, each half will maintain their personal assets.
The intricacies of a relationship are complex. Whether you have lived together for years or have only begun the process of sharing a realtor, it’s best to ensure that you understand what your relationship is from the outset. Take the time to ensure you are a legal unit, and pursue formalities that lend to the creation of mutual assets before you assume the role of husband and wife.
Although there is no real impact on your day-to-day life if you have a common law marriage, it’s important to think ahead. You may want to change the name on the mortgage account to reflect your spouse’s name, apply for joint insurance, or make some of the traditional changes hallmarked for new homeowners. If you have a common law marriage by the eyes of the state, you will want to review your options and make these decisions with what you know about the law in mind.
For more information on marriage laws, you can visit Wikipedia.