Legal Question in Family Law in Rhode Island

Re: common law (marriages)

You have not provided enough information to determine if you are arguably married under common law. Living together for 34 years and having children together does not necessarily make you married under common law.

Common law marriages are determined by a Rhode Island Family Court judge after consideration of all the circumstances and factors such as whether you held yourselves out to the public as being "husband and wife" and whether you took advantage of legal benefits that are normally only available to people who are married (among other factors).

If you are determined to be married by common law then you have the same rights as any other legally married couple. However, there is no way any practitioner could spell out all those rights, responsibilities, options, etc... in the small space we are given to response.

In the least you need a full consultation with a full-time Rhode Island divorce and family law practitioner.

Please contact me if you want to set up a consultation.

My best of luck to you whatever you decide to do in this situation.