Committed Intimate Relationships: Love Isn't Enough

Washington doesn't have common-law marriage. You could live with someone for 30 years, share a home, raise kids, and introduce each other as husband or wife—but when it comes to inheritance, Washington law doesn't see you as "married."

Instead, Washington recognizes something called a Committed Intimate Relationship (CIR). A CIR isn't automatic, and it's not nearly as simple as checking a box. It's a legal status that must be proven in court, often after one partner has died. The judge considers a list of factors: cohabitation, duration, purpose of the relationship, pooling of resources, and intent of the parties. Basically, it's like your entire relationship being graded by someone who never met you.