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New Hampshire does not recognize common law marriage for living couples. RSA 457:39 allows posthumous inheritance recognition only after 3 years of cohabitation before death.
Nevada abolished common law marriage on March 29, 1943, under NRS 122.010. Learn what that means for pre-1943 marriages and out-of-state common law marriages recognized in Nevada.
New Mexico has never recognized common-law marriage. NMSA 40-1-1 requires a license and ceremony. NM recognizes valid out-of-state CLMs under comity per Matter of Lambs Estate and Rivera v Rivera.
Nebraska has not recognized new common law marriages since 1923 (Neb. Rev. Stat. 42-104). Learn what that means, the 7-year myth, and how Nebraska treats valid out-of-state CLMs.
Missouri does not recognize common law marriage. RSMo 451.040 has declared common-law marriages null and void since 1921. Missouri does recognize valid out-of-state common law marriages.
New Jersey abolished common-law marriage on December 1, 1939 (N.J.S.A. 37:1-10). No new CLM can form in NJ, but pre-1939 CLMs remain valid and NJ recognizes valid out-of-state CLMs.
Montana recognizes common law marriage under MCA 40-1-403. Learn the 3 requirements (capacity, mutual agreement, public repute), debunk the 7-year myth, and how it ends.
Mississippi abolished common law marriage in 1956 under Miss. Code 93-1-15. CLMs formed before April 5, 1956 remain valid. Mississippi recognizes valid out-of-state common law marriages.
Massachusetts abolished common law marriage in 1977. No new CLM can be formed in-state; pre-July 12, 1977 unions remain valid. Massachusetts recognizes valid out-of-state CLMs.
Kentucky abolished common law marriage effective January 1, 1990 (KRS 402.005/402.020). Pre-1990 CLMs remain valid. Kentucky recognizes valid out-of-state CLMs.
Kansas recognizes common law marriage under K.S.A. 23-2502 and In re Estate of Keller (2002). Learn the 3 requirements, how to prove it, and how it ends.
Minnesota abolished common law marriage effective April 26, 1941 (Minn. Stat. 517.01). Pre-1941 CLMs remain valid. Minnesota recognizes valid out-of-state common law marriages.