The myth of common law marriage – again!

In an article yesterday in the Daily Telegraph it is claimed that in the High Court a woman is making a “unique bid to secure a common law divorce payout”.  That description seems misguided in strictly legal terms, but the story that gives rise to the article is a classic example of how risky it is to rely on a ‘common law marriage’ – there is no such thing.  If you live with someone without marrying them and later separate, your chances of being able to make a financial claim against them are very slim indeed.