Protecting Assets: Common Law Marriage Concerns and Relationship Advice

Common Law Marriage and Asset Protection

• 💡 The caller, Christie, is concerned about common law marriage potentially impacting her assets, as her boyfriend is not financially secure.
• ⚠️ She has been in a relationship for 10 years but has not lived with her boyfriend, and they currently live in different cities.
• ❓ Montana law recognizes common law marriage if parties are competent, mutually agree to the marital relationship, and cohabit, with no specified time frame for cohabitation.
• 📌 Christie and her boyfriend have only lived together for a couple of weeks, which is not considered cohabitation for common law marriage purposes.

Relationship Dynamics and Marriage Hesitation

• 💬 The hosts question why the couple, both in their 50s, isn't married after 10 years and living in separate cities.
• 💔 Christie expresses hesitation about marriage, citing their age and living situation, while the hosts suggest this indicates a lack of deep commitment.
• 🏠 The hosts advise against moving in together or marrying until they are on the same page and have a stronger, more intertwined relationship.

Financial Prudence and Relationship Advice

• 💰 Christie has secure assets, while her boyfriend does not, leading to the concern about protecting her finances.
• 🚫 The advice given is to keep assets separate and not combine finances, especially if they are not fully committed to marriage.
• 🤝 The hosts emphasize that marriage statistics show better quality of life when couples are married and financially intertwined, but this requires genuine commitment.
• ⚠️ If the couple does not truly want to commit to marriage, they should avoid cohabitation and keep their finances separate to prevent issues like common law marriage claims.

Host's Perspective on Commitment

• 🗣️ One host expresses skepticism about Christie's commitment, noting she can live without her boyfriend and sees him only once a week.
• 🏠 This is contrasted with a personal example of missing a spouse after only a few days apart, highlighting a perceived lack of deep connection.
• 📊 The hosts suggest that Christie's financial success and her boyfriend's lack thereof might also be a deterrent or a point of concern for her.
• ✅ The overarching advice is to not move in or marry until they are on the same page and have a clear, unified vision for their future together.