All Forum Posts by: Adam Pierce

Common law marriage exists in about 16 states. And several of those states only recognize it if created before a certain date. Next, it's not just simply living together for a specific amount of time that creates common law marriage. The couple must also be treating their relationship as married by things such as filing joint taxes and changing their last names.

Lots of jokes about losing your GF/sleeping alone/etc. Lots of assumptions that she'd somehow be able to claim your house as hers. @Adam Pierce, how did your talk go?

@Adam Pierce  Some of the commenters are quick to scoff at you but I promise you NONE of them will help you out if you two split down the road and she claims you two were in a "Meretricious" or "Committed Intimate Relationship" and demand half the equity realized during your relationship from all the properties you acquired.  In fact they'd probably scoff at you again for being so naive!!   http://www.hansenlaw.com/committed-intimate-relati...

BTW, Another reason to have a lease is that you can document two years of landlord experience required by Fannie (or is it Freddie).

There is no common law marriage in California, so that worry is out the window.

Second, 6 months of dating honestly is not long at all, so the very logical side of me can't help but understand that you might want a written lease. Plus, even without a lease, wouldn't she get tenant rights by establishing residency there? Or just say it's a verbal lease and there's her being a tenant with tenant rights?

I am not legally married, and have been in a very committed relationship for 10 years. We own multiple properties together, a few joint bank accounts, etc. We've seen how our taxes would increase greatly if we were married, so instead, we had our attorney draw up all the documents we need to protect us, form trusts, and ensure our assets are all titled in both our names. As Sylvia was asking about titles and "rules", yeah, I can see those questions in the beginning such as this OP's relationship. But you gotta start somewhere! No better time to see if you work well as a strong couple than in the beginning! :-)

How do you feel about your girlfriend? Does she seem to have a good head on her shoulders or go completely crazy if you guys disagree or don't work out? Also, it'll be quite different living together than just dating, even if she's been staying with you a lot. Trust me, even I found this to be true. So whether you go written or verbal lease, you need to have a serious discussion about each other's expectations regarding moving in...and not just regarding rent payments.

 Girlfriend of only 6 months, which is nothing. OP, If she has the means and is willing to pay the rent, she absolutely should.

Also, please for the love of anything, don't "pretend" you are married. Check co-habitation laws in your state. Sometimes, if she lives with you for one or three years, you are effectively married and she is entitled to half your assets. Don't go into this blind, which from what I can see you are starting to do your research.

Those, "aww, but she's your girlfriend" posters are unfortunately not living in the real world that is 2016.

Adam Pierce if you put her on an official lease,you are giving her tenants rights which she can use against you if things go to blazes with her.You need to come to an understanding and put it in writing.If you want the right to kick her to the curb with little notice,you need to make her sign an agreement stating she is living there for free and has no tenants rights to remain in the property upon being asked to vacate asap.