Common Law Marriage in Pennsylvania
Common law marriage in Pennsylvania was abolished on January 2, 2005.
However, couples who entered into a common law marriage before that date are still recognized as married.
That is not the case; length of marriage has never been a factor in creating a common law marriage. This may be important for inheritance upon the death of one partner, but also for protection from creditors of one spouse.
Only property held jointly by a husband and wife (called a “tenancy by the entireties”) receives this special protection; property held jointly by an unmarried couple does not.
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Jeffrey Bellomo, Esq.