[Twinkie]

So far, it seems to escape a lot of people in a
position to do something that there should be some
question about whether having a common-law wife
would constitute bigamy. Is that legal?

[Dante3]

If Florida recognizes common-law marriages (a number of states do not), then it surely is bigamy. He would have gotten a divorce. But he chose not to, frantically wanting his wife to die.

[Catspaw]

 

So far, it seems to escape a lot of people in a
position to do something that there should be some
question about whether having a common-law wife
would constitute bigamy. Is that legal?

Probably because Florida doesn't recognize common law marriage.

Common Law Marriage FAQ

Learn what common law marriage is and in what states it's recognized.

What's Below:

What is a common law marriage?

Which states recognize common law marriage?

What is a common law marriage?

In a handful of states (listed below), heterosexual couples can become legally married without a license or ceremony. This type of marriage is called a common law marriage. Contrary to popular belief, a common law marriage is not created when two people simply live together for a certain number of years. In order to have a valid common law marriage, the couple must do all of the following:

• live together for a significant period of time (not defined in any state)
• hold themselves out as a married couple -- typically this means using the same last name, referring to the other as "my husband" or "my wife" and filing a joint tax return, and
• intend to be married.

When a common law marriage exists, the spouses receive the same legal treatment given to formally married couples, including the requirement that they go through a legal divorce to end the marriage.

Back to top

Which states recognize common law marriage?

 

Common law marriage is recognized only in the following states:

Alabama
Colorado
District of Columbia
Georgia (if created before 1/1/97)
Idaho (if created before 1/1/96)
Iowa
Kansas
Montana
New Hampshire (for inheritance purposes only)
Ohio (if created before 10/10/91)
Oklahoma
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island
South Carolina
Texas
Utah

[FITZ]

Even if it's not bigamy ---- having a lover on the side should eliminate you from being the owner of the poor wife you are cheating on. When it became known that Michael had motives for wanting Terri dead, he should not have been allowed total authority over her fate. She should be turned over to her family who still cares about her.

Also ---- maybe the woman who is having an affair with Michael should be investigated for her role in all this. She's obviously got some motives for wanting Terri out of the way.