MSU Extension: Montana Common Law Marriage and Estate Planning

This article is one in a series focusing on estate and legacy planning. The authors are Kaleena Miller, Madison-Jefferson County Extension Agent, kaleena.miller1@montana.edu, and Marsha Goetting, MSU Extension Family Economics Specialist, marsha.goetting@montana.edu.

“Couples living together should be aware that a court could later find their actions constitute a marriage,” says Marsha Goetting MSU Extension Family Economics Specialist. “They should be careful not to hold themselves out as married unless they are willing to accept the possible legal and estate ramifications.”

John and Mary, an...