John B. Whalen Estate Planning Law Blog on Lawyers.com

~ ~ ~

Be aware that Common law marriage has been abolished in Pennsylvania.

For more from my Website: http://johnbwhalenjr.com/

~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~

Common law marriage in Pennsylvania was recognized by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court one hundred and thirty years ago,

Common law marriage in Pennsylvania was questioned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court five years ago.

Common law marriage in Pennsylvania was abolished by the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court one month ago?

Note:  This paper was presented was October 20, 2003.

Since that time, the Pennsylvania Legislature, did in fact, render common law marriage proactively invalid after January 1, 2005, by statute (23 § 1103), stating that" [n]o common-law marriage contracted after January 1, 2005, shall be valid. 

Nothing in this part shall be deemed or taken to render any common-law marriage otherwise lawful and contracted on or before January 1, 2005, invalid."  (Nov. 23, 2004, P.L.954, No.144, eff. 60 days)).