JOE Don’t know about biblical times but in my mothers time, setting up housekeeping together was called “living in sin.” Now its called “temporary housing.”
Re Joe: it depends on the jurisdiction. In “Common Law” States, if you live like you’re married, you’re married. You have moral responsiblities toward your partner whether it’s legal or not. Ceremony is just a way for church & state to make a buck off it (& decide who’s allowed).
I can remember when the term “common law wife” was used as a snooty way of implying something unsavory. Oddly enough, I never heard “common law husband” used in any conversational context.
Church weddings are not required here in the USA. You can be married by any JP or individual authorized to perform a marriage. Several states recognize common law marriages. They are at present:
Alabama—Colorado
Georgia (if created before 1/1/97)
Idaho (if created before 1/1/96)
Iowa—-Kansas—Montana
New Hampshire (for inheritance purposes only)
Ohio (if created before 10/10/91)
Oklahoma (possibly only if created before 11/1/98. Oklahoma’s laws and court decisions may be in conflict about whether common law marriages formed in that state after 11/1/98 will be recognized.)
Pennsylvania (if created before 1/1/05)
Rhode Island—South Carolina—Texas
Utah—Washington, D.C.
You can declare you and your partner as “married in these states, file joint returns on taxes, take the last name, etc. But to get “divorced”, you must go through the legal divorce process.
Joe: In answer to your query a bit further back about the legal situation in Oz: a couple who have lived together at the same address for more than 12 months are considered to be covered by the Family Law. Marriage either at a Registry Office, by celebrant or recognised church minister causes that law to come into effect immediately. Family Law, in general, recognises the equal value of each partner to their situation, regardless of individual monetary contribution to the partnership.
Family Law is mainly concerned with rights should a partnership fail. A blissfully happy couple, as in a situation similar to my own, would never care about it.
Chuklitl: Re the last sentence in your comment - what a load of codswallop! Ceremony is a wonderful part of the human psyche and the only organizations to make a buck out of it (at least in Oz) are the caterers, dressmakers and photographers. There are no marriage licences in Oz.
As with all things involving Ginger, his traditions and human relationships, I wish the couple well.
The Duke 1 over 14 years ago
Morning, all!
COWBOY7 over 14 years ago
Hang in there, Ginge!
G’Day Joe, Jason, Usfellers and ALL Meggsie fans!
Templo S.U.D. over 14 years ago
In Ginger’s case, it sounded like the minister said, “Speak now, or forever hold your PEES!” Poor boy, and how embarrassing for Mr. and Mrs. Meggs.
JulesFaber over 14 years ago
The couple getting married anyone you know?
usfellers over 14 years ago
Hi Jason, Joe, Dry, Barb, Lonewolf, Bjorn and all Meggsies mates.
Most churches have a weecess off to the side somewhere.
Ginger: First time I’ve seen you wearing any sort of neckwear, much less a bow tie. Suits you but don’t let the fellers see you.
Choice right now is feed the mutts either from a tin of dog food or my ankles. See ya later on.
lewisbower over 14 years ago
JOE Don’t know about biblical times but in my mothers time, setting up housekeeping together was called “living in sin.” Now its called “temporary housing.”
ChukLitl Premium Member over 14 years ago
Re Joe: it depends on the jurisdiction. In “Common Law” States, if you live like you’re married, you’re married. You have moral responsiblities toward your partner whether it’s legal or not. Ceremony is just a way for church & state to make a buck off it (& decide who’s allowed).
ottod Premium Member over 14 years ago
I can remember when the term “common law wife” was used as a snooty way of implying something unsavory. Oddly enough, I never heard “common law husband” used in any conversational context.
COWBOY7 over 14 years ago
Church weddings are not required here in the USA. You can be married by any JP or individual authorized to perform a marriage. Several states recognize common law marriages. They are at present:
Alabama—Colorado Georgia (if created before 1/1/97) Idaho (if created before 1/1/96) Iowa—-Kansas—Montana New Hampshire (for inheritance purposes only) Ohio (if created before 10/10/91) Oklahoma (possibly only if created before 11/1/98. Oklahoma’s laws and court decisions may be in conflict about whether common law marriages formed in that state after 11/1/98 will be recognized.) Pennsylvania (if created before 1/1/05) Rhode Island—South Carolina—Texas Utah—Washington, D.C.
You can declare you and your partner as “married in these states, file joint returns on taxes, take the last name, etc. But to get “divorced”, you must go through the legal divorce process.
usfellers over 14 years ago
Joe: In answer to your query a bit further back about the legal situation in Oz: a couple who have lived together at the same address for more than 12 months are considered to be covered by the Family Law. Marriage either at a Registry Office, by celebrant or recognised church minister causes that law to come into effect immediately. Family Law, in general, recognises the equal value of each partner to their situation, regardless of individual monetary contribution to the partnership.
Family Law is mainly concerned with rights should a partnership fail. A blissfully happy couple, as in a situation similar to my own, would never care about it.
Chuklitl: Re the last sentence in your comment - what a load of codswallop! Ceremony is a wonderful part of the human psyche and the only organizations to make a buck out of it (at least in Oz) are the caterers, dressmakers and photographers. There are no marriage licences in Oz.
As with all things involving Ginger, his traditions and human relationships, I wish the couple well.