[Eepsy]

Isn't thirteen years long enough for a common law marriage?

[My2Cents]

In Arkansas, they're probably considered cousins.

[radiohead]

People misunderstand common law marriage. Statutory law has replaced common law in most areas of the law. Nowadaws, the individual state has to recognize such marriages; Missouri does not. No matter what this couple does to 'hold themselves out' to the community as a couple, they cannot be legally recognized as married.

A bunch of kids and 13 years, why don't they go down to the Justice of the Peace already?

[redgolum]

I don't think Missouri has common law marriage.

[Kirkwood]

Common law marriages are not so common... they also have specific rules:
http://www.unmarried.org/common.html

[MeanWestTexan]

1 second is long enough for a common law marriage, one merely needs to cohabitate and "hold yourself out" as husband and wife. (That is, file taxes together, tell firends you are married, etc.)

[AnalogReigns]

Only a few states recognize "common law marriage." It's generally not a moral issue, but a legal one, as is the objection here. Due to all the property disputable issues (if the break up) couples living together unmarried are a legal nightmare for the state...

[Melas]

Common law marriage is largely a thing of myth. 15 states currently recognize limited common law marriages, of those 4 only recognize common law marriages that have been grandfathered in while no new ones are created, 1 only recognizes them for inheritence purposes.

Of the remaining states the requirements are so akin to marriage that it isn't even funny. In Texas, in order to be recognized as a common law marriage you must: must sign a form provided by the county clerk. In addition, they must (1) agree to be married, (2) cohabit, and (3) represent to others that they are married.

[Schwaeky]

Doesn't that violate HUD Fair Housing regluations??