In the state of Texas the misconception that living together for a period of time automatically gives you the legality of common law marriage. That is absolutely wrong.
In Texas, if the ones living together actually tell, write, insinuate, or by any other means publicly represent the fact that they are a married couple then they can be declared by law to be married.
I am not now and never will again be married, common law or not. ;)
/johnny