Americans are steadily delaying the age of first marriage. From 1983 to 2023, the median age increased by about five years to 30.2 years for men and 28.4 years for women, according to the U.S. Census.

Smiling woman hugging her partner on the couch from behind in the living room. Should you live with a partner you’re not married to? One aspect to consider is the fact that some states may consider ...

In July 2025, a rumor circulated online that U.S. President Donald Trump signed a law effective Aug. 1, 2025, making couples who have been in a relationship for five years automatically legally ...

A. What you’re referring to appears to be a common-law marriage. A common-law marriage is a form of informal marital union that arises when two individuals live together as a married couple without ...

Did you assume common law marriage existed in every state? I did. I feel like it was one of those bits of information that floated around as simply a given that if you lived with someone for seven ...

Common-law spouses may enjoy benefits similar to those with a marriage license Reviewed by Khadija Khartit A common-law ...

Does Social Security recognize common law or do you have to be legally married? My potential life partner is currently on disability collecting Social Security in a neighboring state. If the spousal ...

Whether your dream wedding takes place in a pristine chapel or a stodgy courthouse, there’s always one thing in common: someone – be it a religious leader or a government official – presiding over the ...