Legal Question in Family Law in Virginia

Rights at End of Intimate Relationship

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It is unclear from the question whether the "intimate relationship" included living together and doing things that, in other states, would constitute a "common law", i.e., non-ceremonial, marriage. Virginia does not recognize common law marriages begun in the Commonwealth, but will recognize such marriages if they are valid in the state where they occurred. A gift is a gift regardless of the relationship of the parties. (It is rare that one gives a gift to a total stranger!) Having children with another person may make that person a "family or household member" within the meaning of the juvenile and domestic relations district court law, but it is not significant with regard to the nature or dissolution of the intimate relationship.