Posts Categorized: Common Law Marriage

Many couples, including same-sex partners, choose not to marry. It is understandable that couples feel a piece of paper is not necessary to validate their relationships. However, without a legal marriage or civil partnership, couples in Illinois do not have the same property rights as spouses. The Illinois Supreme Court in Blumenthal V. Brewer addressed the property rights of a couple who were partners for years but never formally married. The court stated the individuals did not have a right to...   Read more ...