common-law marriage

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Definition of common-law marriage in English English dictionary

Related Terms

common-law marriage

A marriage based on the duration of cohabitation rather than formal ceremony

common-law marriage

a marriage relationship created by agreement and cohabitation rather than by ceremony

common-law marriage

A marriage existing by mutual agreement between a man and a woman, or by the fact of their cohabitation, without a civil or religious ceremony. Marriage that is without a civil or religious ceremony and is based on the parties' agreement to consider themselves married and usually also on their cohabitation for a period of time. Most jurisdictions no longer allow this type of marriage to be formed, though they may recognize such marriages formed before a certain date or formed in a jurisdiction that permits such marriages

common law marriage

{i} marriage that is not formed through a religious or civil ceremony but is acknowledged and based on the agreement of the couple to consider themselves married and based also on their living together as husband and wife

Hyphenation

com·mon-law mar-riage