If you like many residents of the United States “Common Law Marriage” is likely a concept with which you are already familiar. However, if you happen to live in the state of Pennsylvania, you might be wondering how the legal landscape works when it comes to these types of “unconventional unions.” For example, is common law marriage recognized in PA, and if so, how does it specifically impact the lives of those residing in this state, especially those who spend much of their time engaged in high-end outdoor activities?
The Jurisprudence of Common Law Marriage
While not every state in the USA recognizes common law marriage (also known as “unregistered marriage”), it is nonetheless an unconventional form of union that has remained status quo for many since April 20, 1640. Common law marriage essentially involves a situation in which two individuals consider themselves legally married without ever going through the formal processes of licensure and declarations. Without specific witness testimony or legal documentation to rely on, common law marriage is essentially defined by an individual’s and couple’s intention to be married. In other words, it is a type of union founded not upon laws and court systems, but rather personal and even spiritual perceptions of love and commitment.
How is Common Law Marriage Understood in Pennsylvania?
To help take the guesswork out of your understanding of common law marriage, the following is a list of facts specific to PA law: The most obvious way in which property and assets are impacted by a common law marriage situation in Pennsylvania involves joint ownership. As a result, any property that is purchased during the course of your common law marriage will likely be considered jointly owned, since the presumption in the eyes of the law will be that you intended to own those items as a pair. All the way down to that state-of-the-art Machete or premium sharpening system purchased from Claveberg, anything classified as shared property will be impacted by the nature of a common law marriage.
How Specific Items of Outdoor Equipment Could Become Jointly Owned Property in PA
While the above-listed items represent some of the most common assets brought into a common law marriage, it is worth noting that even smaller items of value could be classified as your mutual property based solely on when they were purchased and whether or not they were purchased jointly. For example:
- The Average High-End Machete
While this may seem a bit far-fetched, note that anything that has a shared utility could potentially be classified as shared property by the courts.
The Influence of Common Law Marriage on Your Purchases at Claveberg
No matter what you are in the market for at Claveberg, you will likely want to consider the potential ramifications of common law marriage on your purchases. For instance, you may want to keep an eye out for opportunities to purchase items that you can own separately, or better yet, you may want to opt for separate purchases when it comes to your outdoor equipment, tools, and other rugged items. Keep in mind, that any equipment that is necessary for your trade or hobby may not qualify as shared property, unless you both use it regularly.
The Contextual Implications of Common Law Marriage for Purchases at Claveberg
A few scenarios that could impact your decisions about whether or not to purchase certain items together or separately from Claveberg include:
Real-World Legal Problems and Settlements that May Involve Common Law Marriage
Both common law marriage and its context within Pennsylvania law have been involved in countless settlements and litigation cases over the course of the last several decades. Therefore, it makes good sense to consider how these types of scenarios could affect your asset distribution, property, and equipment purchases. To give you an idea of some of these common instances, consider the following examples:
Common Law Marriage Rulings from 2020
Interestingly, the ruling earlier this year regarding a common law marriage example involved a dispute about real property and not physical objects. The dispute in question, however, did illustrate how much value is given by the courts to parties who have established a functional relationship despite foregoing the traditional elements of marriage.
As you can see, each of the above examples could impact the items and equipment that you both need and use for your profession or hobby, and that you may want to purchase jointly in order to save money. Even to buy the best chainsaw at Claveberg, it would be wise to consider its practical applications when determining the legality of ownership in a common law marriage situation.
Protecting Your Equipment and Yourself in a Common Law Marriage
Ultimately, the more knowledge you have about common law marriage as it pertains to Pennsylvania law, the better off you’ll be in terms of protecting those assets that truly belong to you. In addition, as you explore the superior product offerings at Claveberg, you’ll have better insight into what you need to purchase together and why.
For more information on common law marriage, you can visit the Wikipedia page.
