Legal Question in Social Security Law in Missouri
collecting death benifits
My husband(common law) died without a will. Is it possible for me to collect his retirment benifits from his job,they were told I was his wife,by him.Also do I qualify for his Social Security retirment.We presented ourselves as husband and wife.We own property together and have signed documents as husband and wife,we thought it became common law marriage after 7 year's we were together 18 years. He even had me on his insurance at work as his wife.
1 Answer from Attorneys
Re: collecting death benifits
if MO is a state that recognizes the legitimacy of common law marriages, or if you two are actually married, you stand to receive all the "normal" marital benefits you are entitled to. further, even without a valid marriage in some instances, so long as there is a contractual basis to legally rely on, you may still be entitled to many benefits here. if you would like further assistance, contact us directly today.