My wife and I are married in the state of Texas. This is a licensed marrage of 12 years standing - not a common law marrage.
A single woman has moved in with us and in our house hold we are basically living as a 3 person relationship. We are NOT putting the 3rd person on any legal papers claiming her as a "wife" for such things as Insurance, IRS or any other document for state, federal government or employment. With close friends we are not hiding our relationship and the phrase 2nd wife has come up more than once.
Is there any possibility that with Texas "common law marrage" rules that we could be in danger of running into problems with Bigamy laws or other charges? I know if you are not currently married just calling someone a spouse can open up common law issues - but since I am already married and my wife and I are living with this 3rd in a mutual relationship does this become a problem? I do understand that any person in a relationship can cause private civil issues is someone gets bent out of shape - I am just concerned with outside government intervention.
A single woman has moved in with us and in our house hold we are basically living as a 3 person relationship. We are NOT putting the 3rd person on any legal papers claiming her as a "wife" for such things as Insurance, IRS or any other document for state, federal government or employment. With close friends we are not hiding our relationship and the phrase 2nd wife has come up more than once.
Is there any possibility that with Texas "common law marrage" rules that we could be in danger of running into problems with Bigamy laws or other charges? I know if you are not currently married just calling someone a spouse can open up common law issues - but since I am already married and my wife and I are living with this 3rd in a mutual relationship does this become a problem? I do understand that any person in a relationship can cause private civil issues is someone gets bent out of shape - I am just concerned with outside government intervention.