Legal Question in Family Law in California

Married by religion but not by CA law

Greetings,

My wife and I married only based on religion of Islam. We never registered our marriage anywhere. By law, we are not married. We lived under one roof for about 3 years. Now we are divorcing (by religion only). I want her to notarize and sign a letter indicating that Neither of us will ever claim any alimony from the other one. We have no children. She says that she is not agreed with the word ''alimony''. Can she ever claim anything from me? alimony or anything else? Are there any legal form that I can get from anywhere? Soon I'll pass my board exams and will be a doctor. I wonder if she can legally get something from me.

Thanks


Asked on 4/14/05, 5:27 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Lyle Johnson Bedi and Johnson Attorneys at Law

Re: Married by religion but not by CA law

California does not have a provision for a common law marriage. That is a marriage that is the result of a man and woman living together as husband and wife for a lengthy period of time. However, California does recognize common law marriages that result from living in another state the that has a provision for common law marriage. If you have lived in California during the time you lived together you are probably not married. However, some religious marriages are recognized by the state of California. You should consult an attorney regarding this question.

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Answered on 4/20/05, 2:05 am


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