Indiana Agreement to Establish Common Law Marriage is a legal document that outlines the terms and conditions for couples seeking to establish a common law marriage in the state of Indiana. Common law marriage is a legal recognition of a relationship as a marriage, even if the couple did not go through a formal ceremony or obtain a marriage license. The Indiana Agreement to Establish Common Law Marriage serves as evidence or proof of the couple's intent to enter into a common law marriage and clarifies their rights and obligations. This agreement is especially useful for couples who want to safeguard their interests, such as property rights, inheritance, taxation, and healthcare decision-making. There are two types of Indiana Agreement to Establish Common Law Marriage: 1. General Indiana Agreement to Establish Common Law Marriage: This agreement is suitable for couples who are entering into a common law marriage without any specific additional clauses or conditions. It covers the basic aspects of the relationship, such as the intent to live as spouses, mutual financial support, and the right to make medical decisions on behalf of the partner. 2. Customized Indiana Agreement to Establish Common Law Marriage: This agreement allows couples to tailor their common law marriage arrangements according to their specific needs and preferences. It provides flexibility to address unique concerns of the couple, such as the division of property, custody of children, and spousal support. Couples can include additional provisions or modify existing ones to suit their circumstances. Typically, an Indiana Agreement to Establish Common Law Marriage includes key components such as: 1. Introduction: This section identifies the couple signing the agreement and declares their intent to establish a common law marriage in Indiana. 2. Declaration of Intent: This part explicitly states the couple's intent to live together as spouses and be recognized as a common law married couple by the state of Indiana. 3. Mutual Financial Support: The agreement outlines the couple's commitment to support each other financially during the relationship. 4. Property Rights: In this section, the couple may specify how their assets (both individual and joint) will be distributed in case of separation or death. 5. Healthcare Decision-Making: The agreement addresses the couple's rights and responsibilities regarding medical decisions and appointments of a healthcare proxy. 6. Child Custody and Support: If the couple has children or plans to have children, the agreement may include provisions for custody, visitation, and financial support. 7. Dissolution of Common Law Marriage: This part details the procedures and conditions for the termination of the common law marriage, including separation and divorce. Signing an Indiana Agreement to Establish Common Law Marriage is not mandatory for couples in Indiana, but it serves as a valuable legal tool for protecting their rights and clarifying expectations in the absence of a formal marriage license. It is always advisable to consult with a qualified attorney when drafting or signing this agreement to ensure its validity and compliance with Indiana law.