How many of you feel marriage be through formal church ceremony, legal ceremony pronouced by a justice or should simply fall to the couple's choice under English common law?? The first two require proper marriage licenses. Yet should couples that have carnal knowledge of each other while in exclusive cohabitation for some duration be considered married for the sake of divourcement?

This seems like a very complicated issue, considering all the aspects involved. Thoughts?

You can't be married in england by common law. Scotland I believe you can... nowhere else. Sorry to knitpick but thought I'd best correct any misunderstandings.

I think common law marriage is a lot cheaper :P

I'd say its fair enough really... but then you're almost forcing people into marriage depending on how long it is.

Well, not in England, so wasn't aware how they viewed common law marriages. Guess one would have to call these laws as being "Olde England" perhaps. :)

As to cheaper, definately. Unless you're pulled into a common law marriage just for the sake of divource :(

Then there should be common law divorce lol. Again, the cheaper option :)

This is probably partial reason why common law marriage was abolished

It probably came about because of couples being in remote areas far distant from parsons and priests. Having cohabitating and carnal knowledge of each other... the churches back then probably figured it was easier to allow the "unceremonious" abridgement stand versus thinking of them living in sin.

maybe maybe... but I am under the impression it was abolished whilst the church still had a huge influence in England, what happened?