Common law marriage is illegal in the state of NM. Technically, an unmarried man and woman cannot live together for more than six months. The law dates back to the 1880's to keep US Soldiers from shacking up with Mexican prostitutes, thereby "neglecting" their duties as soldiers.
Yeah, and I bet they really enforce that one too. You know that in Michigan until 5 or so years ago you could be inprisioned if you swore infront of a woman or a child.
Anyway, common law marriages are legal in a lot of places. Most states have a provision that says something like this (pharaphrased of course): if a man and woman reside in the same residence for a period of 7 (or whatever) years, and have a relationship that approximates a marriage, then they are afforded the same rights and protections of a legally married couple.
Ohio now has no such provision, which means that people will lose their healthcare and have to file taxes seperately, more importantly they will lose the right to authorize emergency, and potentially life saving medical procedures.
