Gavel Insight

Understanding Common-Law Marriage in New Hampshire 🔍 Common-law marriage is an informal type of marriage where a couple lives together and presents themselves as married without going through a formal legal ceremony or obtaining a marriage license. Unlike many other states, New Hampshire does not generally recognize common-law marriages during a couple's lifetime. However, RSA 457:39 provides an exception, stating that a common-law marriage may be recognized for probate purposes after one partner's death. When is Common-Law Marriage Recognized in New Hampshire? ⚖️ New Hampshire courts may recognize a common-law marriage only after the passing of one spouse if: ✅ The couple lived together for an extended period. ✅ They acted as a married couple, sharing finances and responsibilities. ✅ The community regarded them as married. ✅ There is evidence demonstrating that they intended to be married. If these conditions are met, the surviving partner may be entitled to inherit...

As one of the states in the southeastern United States, Tennessee has a long and complex history regarding LGBT+ rights. Over the past several decades, there have been numerous legal and constitutional developments that have impacted the LGBT+ community in Tennessee. In this article, we will explore the evolution of LGBT+ rights in Tennessee, analyze key court cases and legal developments, and discuss the current state of LGBT+ rights in the state. Historical Context To understand the current state of LGBT+ rights in Tennessee, we must first look at the historical context in which these rights developed. Tennessee has a history of conservative social values, including discrimination against LGBT+ individuals. In 1996, the state passed a law defining marriage as solely between a man and a woman, and in 2011, the state banned local governments from enacting anti-discrimination policies that protect LGBT+ individuals. However, in recent years, there has been significant progress towards L...