Live-In Lovers, Cousins, and Contracts: Untangling Georgia Marriage Law | LWB EP 26

Think a wedding license is the only way to be married in Georgia? Think again.In this episode of Lawyers Without Billboards, the Shewmaker & Lewis team unpacks what really constitutes a valid marriage under Georgia law. From the three essential requirements of marriage to surprising cases where “celebrations of love” turned into binding contracts, the conversation dives into quirky legal twists - including cousin marriage laws, destination weddings, and the end of common law marriage in Georgia.With their trademark mix of insight and humor, Steve, Patty, Jimmy, and Alexa break down what counts, what doesn’t, and why “live-in lovers” can sometimes end up more entangled than they realize.🎙️ Hosts: Steve Shewmaker, Patty Shewmaker, Jimmy Lewis, Alexa Lewis👨‍⚖️ Hosted by Shewmaker & Lewis, Atlanta-based attorneys helping familiesChapters (Timestamps)00:28 – What makes a valid marriage in Georgia?02:05 – Ability to contract: age, capacity, and no prior spouse03:47 – Cousin marriage laws (yes, Georgia allows it!)07:05 – Which states prohibit first-cousin marriages?08:45 – Do you actually need a marriage license?10:00 – Case study: Celebration of Love vs. Legal Marriage14:20 – Divorce case twist: Was the marriage valid in 2007 or 2016?16:30 – Judge Hutchinson’s ruling and appeal17:30 – Common law marriage abolished… but could it return?20:20 – Destination weddings and Georgia recognition22:20 – Don’t “play marriage”: funny family stories23:40 – Final takeaways: Live-in lovers, cousins, and contracts👉 Have a question or topic idea? Visit shewmakerandlewis.comshewmakerandlewis.com🔗 Podcast Library: https://shewmakerandlewis.com/lawyers-without-billboards🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and more. Search Lawyers Without Billboards.📺 Video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0zeuTCNaQV0📩 Contact: [email protected] 🎼 Music by Ben Hernandez at Dragonsong Productions 🎥 Produced by Rob Burgner at Bleeding Edge in Atlanta, GA