Q: How can I prove a common law marriage in OK if we didn't tell his family? Only trusted friends?
He late husband was 30yrs my senior and we knew his estranged family wouldn't approve. We didn't feel the need to tell everyone we came in contact with, only those special to us. We didn't get out much anyway. I have love letters from him and pictures that I think display our closeness. Neither of us file taxes or have anything with both our names on it, as we were both already established prior to meeting and felt no need to change things. Will this be enough for common law marriage?
A: For common law / non-ceremonial marriage it is a fact finding exercise requiring many different aspects and then the burden of proof is on the one claiming the marriage (you in this case). This is something that really you will need an attorney to assist you to put things in order to prove your position.
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