Colorado is one of only nine states that currently recognize common law marriage. In deciding whether a common law marriage exists, the Court has to find both parties had an understanding they were married and that their actions show an intention to be married. To decide whether a relationship qualifies as a common law marriage, the Court has to weigh a number of factors. These factors include how property is owned, how insurance is covered, whether taxes have been filed jointly, and whether you identify yourselves as spouses to the general public. The decision of whether common law marriage exists depends on the evidence presented and how the Court weighs this evidence. There is no single, simple formula.
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