THE UNEXPECTED FAMILY:

LITIGATING THE DETERMINATION OF A

PURPORTED COMMON LAW SPOUSE
RUTH ANN STILES
Associate Ju!e
Ha""is Cou#t$ P"o%ate Cou"t O#e
&'( Ca"o)i#e* Suite +''
Housto#* Te,as --''&
.-(/0 /+12+-''
"ut34sti)es56"o%43ct,4#et
/'
t3
ANNUAL AD7ANCED ESTATE PLANNING AND PRO8ATE
COURSE
Ju#e -29* &''+
Housto#
CHAPTER &+
HON4 RUTH ANN STILES
Associate Judge
Harris County Probate Court One
(713) 368-6700
ruthsti!es"#robhct$net
EDUCATION
%A in Psycho!ogy& 'anderbi!t (ni)ersity& 1*8*
J+& (ni)ersity o, Houston -a. Center& 1**/
PROFESSIONAL ACTI7ITES
Harris County Probate Court One
Associate Judge& 0e#te1ber 2003 -#resent
0ta,, Attorney3Coordinator& 0e#te1ber 1**3-0e#te1ber 2003
Attorneys in 4a$ and Probate5 6e1bershi# Co-Chair#erson& 1***-2001
+isabi!ity and 7!der -a. Attorney Association5 Case -a. (#date Chair#erson5 0ecretary 200/-2008
LAW RELATED PU8LICATIONS AND SPEECHES
9o!e o, Attorney and :uardian Ad -ite15 Ad)anced :uardianshi# Course& 6arch& 2006
(nderuti!i;ed Probate Code Pro)isions5 0outh 4e$as Co!!ege o, -a. <i!!s and Probate =nstitute5 0e#te1ber&
200/
+e#endent Ad1inistration Can %e >our ?riend5 0outh 4e$as Co!!ege o, -a. <i!!s @ Probate =nstitute5
0e#te1ber& 2003
2003 -egis!ati)e (#date5 Attorneys in 4a$ and Probate5 0e#te1ber& 2003
Out o, the <ood.orAB An (#date on the -a. 9egarding Co11on -a. 6arriage& Putati)e 0#ouses and
Ado#tion by 7sto##e!5 Houston %ar Association5 6ay& 20035 +isabi!ity and 7!der -a. AttorneyCs
Association5 ?ebruary& 2001
(#date ?ro1 the Probate 0ta,, Attorneys5 Houston %ar Association5 August& 2001
Jurisdictiona! =ssues in :uardianshi# -a.5 :uardianshi# and 7!der -a. =ssues ,or the Practitioner and Ad
-ite15 Houston %ar Association5 October& 2000
I4 SCOPE OF ARTICLE
4his artic!e is intended to assist an attorney .ith
the reDuire1ents o, trying a contested deter1ination o,
heirshi# in .hich the 1ain #oint o, contention is the
e$istence o, a co11on-!a. or in,or1a! 1arriage 4he
,irst ha!, o, the artic!e .i!! e$#!ore the !ega!
reDuire1ents to estab!ish an in,or1a! 1arriage .ith a
discussion o, the !ega! rights o, a #utati)e s#ouse 4he
second ha!, o, this artic!e e$#!ores so1e e)identiary
and #ractica! issues that shou!d be considered
regarding such !itigation
II4 INTRODUCTION
Our 1odern .or!d is ,u!! o, E1i$ed ,a1i!iesF
ha)ing 1u!ti#!e s#ouses and chi!dren ,ro1 current and
#rior 1arriages =n these situations& #robate can be )ery
co1#!icated and !itigious =rres#ecti)e o, current
,a1i!y har1ony& i, one co1bines an intestate estate
.ith the issue o, an in,or1a! or Eco11on-!a.F
1arriage& !itigation is a!1ost guaranteed to ,o!!o.
?ortunate!y ,or #robate !itigators& 4e$as is one o,
the t.e!)e states that current!y recogni;e co11on-!a.
1arriages Atte1#ts to abo!ish the recognition o, a
co11on !a. 1arriage in 4e$as ha)e consistent!y
,ai!ed 4he !ast atte1#t to abo!ish co11on-!a.
1arriages in 4e$as .as through House %i!! 16 in the
76
th
-egis!ature& in 1***& .herein& the bi!! ne)er
e1erged ,ro1 co11ittee 4e$as has codi,ied the
reDuire1ents ,or a co11on-!a. 1arriage in 4e$as
?a1i!y Code G 2/01& entit!ed EProo, o, =n,or1a!
6arriageF('ernonCs 0u## 2008) <hereas a
cere1onia! 1arriage is easy to enter into and to #ro)e&
a co11on !a. 1arriage reDuires the 1o)ant to
estab!ish the reDuire1ents set ,orth under 4e$as ?a1i!y
Code G 2/01
III4 THE RE:UIREMENTS OF AN INFORMAL
MARRIAGE PURSUANT TO TEX4 FAM4
CODE ; &4<'(
A4 LEGAL CAPACITY TO MARRY
=n order to enter a )a!id co11on !a. 1arriage in
4e$as& the #arties 1ust #ossess the reDuisite !ega!
ca#acity to 1arry =n order to estab!ish a )a!id
co11on !a. 1arriage& the #arties in 4e$as 1ust 1eet
the ,o!!o.ing reDuire1entsB
(1) be a 1an and a .o1an 4e$ ?a1 Code G 2001
and G 2/01(a)(2)5
(2) not be #resent!y 1arried to a third #arty 4e$
?a1 Code G 2/01(d)5
(3) be 18 years o, age (4e$ ?a1 Code G
2/01(c))5 and&
(/) not be re!ated as an ancestor or descendant&
re!ated by b!ood or ado#tion& nor be sib!ings by
.ho!e& ha!, b!ood or by ado#tion& nor 1ay either
be a #arentCs brother or sister by .ho!e or ha!,
b!ood or by ado#tion& nor be the son or daughter o,
a brother or sister by .ho!e or ha!, b!ood or by
ado#tion& nor be a current or ,or1er ste#chi!d or
ste##arent 4e$ ?a1 Code G 2/02(a)(/) and G
6201
=nteresting!y& the ,ina! #rohibition against 1arriage to a
current or ,or1er ste#chi!d or ste##arent a##ears to
on!y a##!y in regard to a dec!aration ,i!ed #ursuant to
4e$ ?a1 Code G 2/02 (a)(/)(7) 7ssentia!!y& the
#arties to an in,or1a! 1arriage& !iAe a cere1onia!
1arriage& 1ust be o, the o##osite se$& o, !ega! age and
#ossess no !ega! i1#edi1ents& such as those
concerning Ainshi# or the e$istence o, a current
1arriage
Historica!!y& a 1arriage by a 1inor .as 1ere!y
)oidab!e& not )oid 4here,ore& the #arents .ou!d ha)e
to #etition the court to annu! the 1arriage o, their
underage chi!d 4he tria! court ,ound in Husband )
Pierce& 800 0<2d 661 (4e$ A##H4y!er 1**0& no
.rit)& that the ,i,teen year o!d gir! in Duestion had been
1arried both cere1onia!!y in 6e$ico and by co11on
!a. in the state o, 4e$as 4he court stated that as the
!egis!ature had 1ade 1arriage by a 1inor 1ere!y a
)oidab!e 1arriage rather than )oid& the #arents on!y
re1edy .as to #etition ,or an annu!1ent Husband at
66/ 4his case .ou!d be decided di,,erent!y today ,or
the ,o!!o.ing reasons
4he !egis!ature a1ended 4e$ ?a1 Code G 2/01
in 1**7 to restrict any #erson under the age o, 18 ,ro1
being a #arty to an in,or1a! 1arriage or e$ecuting a
dec!aration o, in,or1a! 1arriage 4here,ore& the
1arriage .ou!d no. be )oid 4his is es#ecia!!y
i1#ortant in #robate #roceedings as a 1arriage is no
!onger )oidab!e or subIect to cha!!enge in any
#roceeding instituted a,ter the death o, either #arty to
the 1arriage 4e$ ?a1 Code G 6111 0ubseDuent
cases ha)e ,ound that the e$#!icit #ro)ision o, G 2/01
(c) e!i1inates any abi!ity ,or a #erson under the age o,
eighteen to enter into an in,or1a! 1arriage& regard!ess
o, the case !a. #rior to the 1**7 a1end1ent Jingery
) Hint;& 12/ 0< 3d 878 (4e$ A##HHouston K1/
th
+istL& 2003& no .rit)& and& Cree! ) 6artine;& 176
0<2d 816 (4e$ A##HHouston K1
st
+istL 200/& no
.rit
%oth to in,or1 and re!ie)e #arenta! ,ears& G 6208
.as added to the ?a1i!y Code in 2008 4his section
)oids any 1arriage )oid i, a #arty to the 1arriage is
younger than si$teen years o, age Ho.e)er& #arents
.i!! sti!! ha)e to seeA annu!1ent o, a 1arriage .here
the #arties are bet.een si$teen and eighteen years o,
age 4e$ ?a1 Code G 6101-6102 (n,ortunate!y& the
!egis!ature ,ai!ed to o1it this re,erence to the
annu!1ent o, a 1inor .ho enters into an in,or1a!
1arriage in 4e$ ?a1 Code G 6102 (a) 4he Cree! and
6artine; ho!dings .ou!d sti!! #rohibit a 1inor ,ro1
entering into an in,or1a! 1arriage because o, the
e$#ress !anguage o, G 2/01 (c)
-ast!y& the !egis!ature a!so a1ended 4e$ ?a1
Code G 2/01 in 2008 to add subsection (d) 4his
subsection a##!ies to a!! in,or1a! 1arriages regard!ess
o, .hen entered into or .hen the dec!aration e$ecuted
G 2/01(d) 4e$ ?a1 Code states that a #erson 1ay not
be a #arty to an in,or1a! 1arriage or e$ecute a
dec!aration o, sa1e i, that #erson is #resent!y 1arried
to a #erson .ho is not the other #arty to the in,or1a!
1arriage or to the dec!aration o, an in,or1a! 1arriage&
as a##!icab!e 4he co11entary in 0a1#son @
4inda!!Cs 4e$as ?a1i!y Code Annotated (August
2008)& suggests that the !egis!ature ,e!t co1#e!!ed to
add this #ro)ision as an e,,ort Eto #re)ent a!!eged
#o!yga1y .ithin the 0tateF %ecause 4e$ ?a1 Code
G 6202 dec!ares a 1arriage )oid i, entered into by a
#arty ha)ing an e$isting 1arriage that has not been
disso!)ed by di)orce or ter1inated by the death o, a
s#ouse& one cou!d assu1e that the issue is reso!)ed
(0ee 'i!!egas ) :ri,,in =ndustries *78 0<2d 7/8
(4e$ A##HCor#us Christi 1**8& .rit denied)& .hich
,ound that no in,or1a! 1arriage cou!d resu!t .hen one
o, the #arties .as sti!! 1arried to a third #erson)
Ho.e)er& does 4e$ ?a1 Code G 2/01 (d) so1eho.
e!i1inate the e,,ect o, G 6202 by a!!o.ing a )oid
1arriage to beco1e )a!id .hen the #rior 1arriage is
disso!)ed i,& a,ter the date o, disso!ution& the #arties
satis,y the reDuire1ents o, a co11on !a. 1arriageM
4he a##e!!ate courts ha)e not addressed the issue& but
it does not a##ear that there is any #rohibition to
entering into an in,or1a! 1arriage a,ter the
i1#edi1ent is re1o)ed
84 EXECUTION OF A DECLARATION OF
INFORMAL MARRIAGE
4he e$ecution o, a dec!aration o, 1arriage is the
#re,erred 1ethod to e)idence the estab!ish1ent o, an
in,or1a! 1arriage 4e$ ?a1 Code G 2/01(a)(1) 4he
statutory reDuire1ents o, the .ritten dec!aration are set
,orth in 4e$ ?a1 Code G 2/02 4he county c!erA o,
each county 1ust #ro)ide a #re-#rinted ,or1 that
inc!udes a dec!aration and oath o, the #arties that states
E= so!e1n!y s.ear (or a,,ir1) that .e& the undersigned&
are 1arried to each other by )irtue o, the ,o!!o.ing
actsB On or about (date) .e agreed to be 1arried& and
a,ter that date .e !i)ed together as husband and .i,e
and in this state .e re#resented to others that .e .ere
1arried 0ince the date o, 1arriage to the other #arty =
ha)e not been 1arried to any other #erson 4his
dec!aration is true and the in,or1ation in it .hich =
ha)e gi)en is correctF 4his state1ent incor#orates the
three-#rong e)identiary test necessary to estab!ish a
co11on !a. 1arriageB 1) Co-habitation5 2) An
agree1ent to be 1arried5 and& 3) Ho!ding out or
re#resentation to others that the #arties are 1arried
4he dec!aration 1ust be e$ecuted by the
#arties and recorded #ursuant to 4e$ ?a1 Code G
2/0/ 4he statute reDuires that the c!erA sha!!
ad1inister the oath& ha)e each #arty sign the
dec!aration in the c!erACs #resence (4he #arties cannot
#icA u# the ,or1 and return it !ater =t 1ust be
co1#!eted in ,ront o, the c!erA)5 and& e$ecute the
c!erACs certi,icate thereon (#on #ro#er e$ecution& the
county c!erA sha!! record the origina! dec!aration and
send a co#y to the bureau o, )ita! statistics 4e$ ?a1
Code G 2/0/ (c) 4his dec!aration is #ri1a ,acie
e)idence o, the 1arriage o, the #arties 4e$ ?a1
Code G 2/0/ (d) Attach1ent A is a +ec!aration and
9egistration o, =n,or1a! 6arriage that .as ,i!ed in
Harris County
4he dec!aration constitutes #ri1a ,acie
e)idence o, the co11on !a. 1arriage& but this
#resu1#tion can be o)er$o1e i, there is e)idence that
one o, the three reDuire1ents .as not actua!!y 1et
0ee Co!burn ) 0tate& *66 0<2d 811& 81/ (4e$ Cri1
A## 1**8)& .herein the court ,ound that a!though the
tria! court 1ay ,ind the e$istence o, a co11on !a.
1arriage based u#on the dec!aration a!one& e)idence
1ay be o,,ered rebutting the e$istence o, the 1arriage
as s.orn to or stated in the dec!aration =n other .ords&
the tria! court is not bound to ,ind a 1arriage as stated
in the dec!aration .hen there is e)idence to the
contrary& .hich in this case& inc!uded e)idence that the
#arties had ne)er !i)ed together and that their
agree1ent .as to be 1arried at so1e #oint in the
,uture
C4 ESTA8LISHING THE THREE PRONG TEST
Another 1ethod to estab!ish an in,or1a! 1arriage
is to #resent e)idence that the 1an and .o1an agreed
to be 1arried and a,ter the agree1ent they !i)ed
together in this state as husband and .i,e and there
re#resented to others that they .ere 1arried 4e$ ?a1
Code G 2/01 (a)(2) A!! o, these ,actors 1ust occur
conte1#oraneous!y to estab!ish a co11on !a.
1arriage :ary ) :ary5 /*0 0<2d *2* (4e$ Ci)
A##H4y!er& 1*73& .rit re,Cd nre)5 <in,ie!d )
9en,ro 821 0<2d 6/0 (4e$A##HHouston K1
st
+istL
1**1& .rit denied) Additiona!!y& #ursuant to 4e$
?a1 Code G 2/01 and a##!icab!e case !a.& the
e!e1ents o, Eho!ding outF or re#resentation to others
and the cohabitation o, the #arties 1ust occur in 4e$as
4e$as 71#!oyersC =ns AssCn ) %oru15 83/ 0< 2d
3*8 (4e$ A##H0an Antonio& 1**2& no .rit) 4he
agree1ent is the on!y e!e1ent that is not reDuired to
occur in this state Ho.e)er& as a!! three e!e1ents
1ust e$ist at the sa1e ti1e& the Eagree1entF 1ust
continue in the state5 and& the other t.o e!e1ents 1ust
occur in 4e$as
(4 AGREEMENT TO 8E MARRIED
4he ,irst reDuire1ent and #robab!y the 1ost
di,,icu!t #rong to estab!ish is that the #arties entered
into an agree1ent to be 1arried =t 1ay be an e$#ress
or an i1#!ied agree1ent 0he!ton ) %e!Ana#& 282
0<2d 682 (4e$ 1*88) A!though an e$#ress
agree1ent is not reDuired& there 1ust be e)idence o,
the agree1ent Ob)ious!y& in an heirshi# #roceeding to
deter1ine a co11on !a. 1arriage& one o, the #arties
to the agree1ent is a!.ays deceased
Prior to 1*8*& #ursuant to statute& the agree1ent to
be 1arried cou!d be in,erred ,ro1 the ,act that the
#arties !i)ed together and re#resented to others that
they .ere 1arried Ho.e)er& in 1*8*& the !egis!ature
a1ended the ?a1i!y Code #rohibiting the agree1ent
,ro1 being in,erred ,ro1 a ,inding that the other t.o
e!e1ents e$isted A,ter a #eriod o, con,usion& the
4e$as 0u#re1e Court ,ina!!y c!ari,ied the issue stating
that a!though the agree1ent cou!d no !onger be
in,erred& Iust !iAe any other u!ti1ate ,act& it cou!d be
#ro)en by circu1stantia! e)idence 9usse!! ) 9usse!!
868 0<2d *2* (4e$ 1**3) 4he court ,urther
#ointed out that the #rior statute #resu1ed an
agree1ent u#on the estab!ish1ent o, the other t.o
#rongs5 .hereas a,ter the 1*8* a1end1ent& the
e)idence o, ho!ding out 1ust be ,ar 1ore con)incing to
co1#ensate ,or !acA o, direct e)idence o, an
agree1ent 9usse!! at *32-*33 Citing Pro,essor
Jose#h 6cJnight& the 0u#re1e Court stated& E=n a
society in .hich non-1arita! cohabitation ,or e$tended
#eriods o, ti1e is ,ar 1ore co11on than it once .as&
the ,act-,inder .i!! ha)e to .eigh the e)idence o, a
tacit agree1ent 1ore care,u!!y than in the #ast As the
statute no. reads& an occasiona! uncontradicted
re,erence to a cohabitant as E1y .i,eF or E1y
husbandF or E1ineF .i!! not #ro)e a tacit agree1ent to
be 1arried .ithout corroboration 0uch a re,erence by
the contestant o, the union .i!!& o, course& be stronger
e)idence o, an agree1ent than such a state1ent by the
#ro#onentNA ,orthright assertion o, 1arriage .ith
the conseDuence o, !iabi!ity (as .hen the a!!eged
s#ouse seeAs ad1ission o, the other to a hos#ita!) 1ay&
on the other hand be ,ar 1ore #robati)e o, a tacit
agree1ent to be 1arried 9usse!! at *32
An agree1ent to be 1arried 1ust e)idence that the
#arties intended to ha)e a #resent& i11ediate& and
#er1anent 1arita! re!ationshi#5 and& that they did in
,act agree to be husband and .i,e <in,ie!d ) 9en,ro
821 0<2d 6/0 (4e$A##HHouston K1
st
+istL 1**1&
.rit denied) =t is a!1ost i1#ossib!e to #ro)e an
agree1ent .ithout circu1stantia! e)idence o, ho!ding
out un!ess there is another .itness to the agree1ent
4his is a rare e)ent (n!ess t.o #eo#!e #ro,ess their
i11ediate desire to be 1arried to each other in the
#resence o, others (.hi!e current!y cohabitating and
ho!ding each other out as husband and .i,e)& #roo, o,
the agree1ent .i!! co1e through direct testi1ony ,ro1
the sur)i)ing Es#ouseF and circu1stantia!!y .ith
e)idence o, ho!ding out and cohabitation 9ea!istica!!y&
it is odd that so 1any #eo#!e #ro#ose to enter into a
cere1onia! 1arriage in ,ront o, .itnesses& but #arties
to an in,or1a! 1arriage tend to reach that agree1ent in
#ri)ate
4he testi1ony o, the #arty seeAing to estab!ish the
1arriage .i!! be considered as direct e)idence o, the
agree1ent 4esti1ony ,ro1 a #arty that she and the
decedent Eagreed to be 1arried in :odCs eyesF .as
,ound by the court to be direct e)idence o, the
agree1ent =n 9e 7state o, :iesse!& 73/ 0 < 2d 27
(4e$ A##HHouston K1
st
+istL 1*87& .rit re,Cd nre)
Ho.e)er& direct e)idence .i!! not a!.ays #re)ai! in the
,ace o, contro)erting circu1stantia! e)idence
4esti1ony that the #arty contesting the 1arriage had
to!d the other #arty& E%aby& .e donCt ha)e to get
1arried to be 1arriedN-etCs get your debts straight
and then .eC!! do it rightF A!though this .as 1ore
than a scinti!!a o, direct e)idence o, an agree1ent to be
1arried& it .as not enough to o)erco1e the !acA o,
#ersuasi)e e)idence o, the cou#!e ho!ding the1se!)es
out as 1an and .i,e 7ris ) Phares 3* 0<2d 708
(4e$A##HHouston K1
st
+istL 2001& .rit denied)
4he co1#!ications o, 4e$ 9u!e o, 7)id G 601 (b)&
other.ise Ano.n as Ethe +ead 6anCs 9u!eF regarding
the hearsay nature o, a sur)i)ing s#ouses testi1ony are
addressed !ater in the #a#er
&4 COHA8ITATION OR =LI7ING TOGETHER
AS MAN AND WIFE>
4he second #rong that 1ust be #ro)en to estab!ish
a co11on !a. 1arriage is that the cou#!e .ere !i)ing
together as 1an and .i,e in the state o, 4e$as =n
genera!& the #roo, o, this #articu!ar #rong is ,air!y
straight,or.ard =n one case& e)idence that a 1an Ae#t
his be!ongings at a .o1anCs house& sent his bed there&
Eacted husband!yF doing errands& .orAing around the
house and genera!!y beha)ing as though they .ere
1arried .as ,actua!!y su,,icient to su##ort a ,inding o,
cohabitation& a!though other e)idence sho.ed that he
had on!y stayed there ,or ,ourteen days <in,ie!d )
9en,ro& 821 0<2d 6/0 (4e$ A##HHouston K1
st
+istL 1**1& .rit denied) Hence& s#oradic !i)ing
arrange1ents can satis,y the cohabitation reDuire1ent
=n another case& testi1ony that the #arties !i)ed
together each ti1e the #ur#orted s#ouse returned to
this country .as su,,icient to sho. !i)ing together as
1an and .i,e %o!ash ) Heid& 733 0<2d 6*8
(4e$A##H0an Antonio 1*87& no .rit) -ast!y& a 1an
and .o1an !i)ing together ,or 1ere!y t.o 1onths .as
adeDuate to satis,y the reDuire1ent in 4o1#Ains )
0tate& 77/ 0<2d 1*8 (4e$Cri1A## 1*87)(en banc)
cert granted& /86 (0 100/ & a1ended& /86 (0 1083&
Iudg1t a,,Cd& /*0 (0 78/ (1*8*)
4here are a !i1ited nu1ber o, cases in .hich the
1arriage has ,ai!ed ,or .ant o, !i)ing together as
husband and .i,e Ho.e)er& the cases are c!ear on the
#oint that that the #arties cannot 1ere!y intend to
cohabitate in the ,uture5 and& i, so& no co11on !a.
1arriage is created 0ee Canady ) 9usse!! 138 0<3d
/12 (4e$A##H4y!er& 200/& no .rit) and Co!burn )
0tate& *66 0<2d 811 (4e$Cri1A## 1**8) Oeither
statute nor case !a. has estab!ished a bright !ine test as
to ho. !ong the #arties 1ust !i)e together as husband
and .i,e 4he ,o!!o.ing ti1e situations ha)e not
constituted !i)ing together as husband and .i,eB A
,i,teen year o!d gir! .ho ne)er s#ent an entire night
.ith her #ur#orted s#ouse& 7$ Parte 4hreet& 333
0<2d 361 (4e$ 1*60)5 and& three days together at a
hote! <in,ie!d at 681
/4 =HOLDING OUT> OR REPRESENTING TO
OTHERS THAT ONE IS MARRIED
6ost decisions regarding .hether or not an
in,or1a! 1arriage e$ists are based u#on the adeDuacy
o, e)idence o, the ,ina! e!e1ent o, 4e$ ?a1 Code G
2/01 4his #ro)ision reDuires that the #arties
re#resent to others that they are 1arried in the state o,
4e$as 4his Eho!ding outF #rong reDuires not on!y that
both #arties re#resent to third #arties that they are
husband and .i,e& but case !a. a##ears to reDuire a
,inding that there is a genera! re#utation in the
co11unity that the cou#!e are 1arried 7ris ) Phares
3* 0<3d 708 (4e$A##HHouston K1
st
+istL 2001&
.rit denied) 4he Eho!ding outF e)idence 1ust be )ery
#ersuasi)e because it o,ten is uti!i;ed to su##ort direct
or circu1stantia! e)idence o, the agree1ent to be
1arried
4e$as !a. does not recogni;e a Esecret co11on
!a. 1arriageF because o, the reDuire1ent that the
#arties #ub!ic!y ho!d the1se!)es out to the co11unity
as husband and .i,e 7$ Parte 4hreet& 333 0<2d 361
(4e$ 1*60) A co11on-!a. 1arriage is 1ore than a
contract =t is a recogni;ed #ub!ic status <in,ie!d )
9en,ro& 821 0<2d 6/0 (4e$ A##HHouston K1
st
+istL 1**1& .rit denied) Occasiona! introductions as
husband and .i,e are !ega!!y insu,,icient to estab!ish
the e!e1ent o, ho!ding out <in,ie!d at 681 =n
situations .here there is abso!ute!y no e)idence o, a
.o1an introducing the 1an as her s#ouse5 that there is
no genera! re#utation in the co11unity thet are
1arried5 and& e)en i, the #ur#orted husband
occasiona!!y introduced her as his .i,e .ithout
obIection& such e)idence is ,actua!!y insu,,icient to
su##ort a Eho!ding outF ,inding 7ris at 716 4he
occasiona! re,erence to a ,or1er s#ouse as E1y .i,eF
during continued cohabitation a,ter their di)orce is
!ega!!y and ,actua!!y insu,,icient to su##ort a Eho!ding
outF ,inding ?!ores ) ?!ores 8/7 0<2d 6/8
(4e$A##H<aco 1**3& .rit denied) Case !a. has
he!d that re,erence to a #ur#orted s#ouse as E1y
,riendF in a decedentCs .i!!& cou#!ed .ith
re#resentations in their ta$ returns and other records by
both #arties to the #ur#orted 1arriage that they .ere
sing!e& 1irrored against one instance on!y o, the one o,
the #arties introducing the other as a s#ouse .as
!ega!!y insu,,icient e)idence o, a co11on !a.
1arriage 6i!!s ) 6est& */ 0<3d 72 (4e$A##H
Houston K1/
th
+istL 2002& .rit denied) A!so& not
taAing the husbandCs !ast na1e co1bined .ith ,i!ing
ta$ returns as a sing!e #erson and signing the )isitorCs
booA at his ,unera! in the section reser)ed ,or E?riendsF
instead o, E?a1i!y&F created a ,act scenario insu,,icient
to su##ort the ,inding o, a co11on !a. 1arriage in
:ary ) :ary& /*0 0<2d *2* (4e$Ci)A##H4y!er
1*73& .rit re,Cd nre)
4he ,o!!o.ing situations i!!ustrate adeDuate
e)idence o, the ho!ding out e!e1ent A 1an .ho
ado#ted t.o chi!dren .ith his #ur#orted s#ouse and
,ai!ed to correct the attorney& the socia! .orAer or the
ado#tion court that he .as not 1arried to the #ur#orted
s#ouse (because he did not ,ee! that it .as i1#ortant or
re!e)ant) .as ,ound to ha)e satis,ied the e!e1ent
-e.is ) Anderson 173 0<3d 886 (4e$A##H+a!!as
2008& .rit denied) Again& 6r -e.is did not he!# his
cause .hen he ,ai! to c!ari,y his 1arita! status at their
church& or by !i)ing .ith 6s Anderson ,or t.enty
years& and inad)ertent!y ,i!ing his ta$ return on one
occasion as 1arried 9e#resentations in ta$ returns
and other attendant docu1ents do not conc!usi)e!y
estab!ish or negate a co11on !a. 1arriage 4hey
1ere!y go to the .eight o, the e)idence =n 9e 7state
o, :iesse!& 73/ 0 < 2d 27 (4e$ A##HHouston K1
st
+istL 1*87& .rit re,Cd nre) =n :iesse!& 1any
.itnesses testi,ied that they had a!.ays be!ie)ed that
6s Juchera .as 1arried to 6r :iesse! 6r :iesse!
had introduced her as his .i,e and she had introduced
hi1 as Eher o!d 1anF 4hese disinterested .itnessesC
testi1ony out.eighed other testi1ony that he ne)er
re#resented her as his .i,e to his ,a1i!y 1e1bers (.ho
stood to inherit i, the 1arriage .as not estab!ished)5
and& that she ,i!ed her ta$es as being sing!e& 1aintained
a se#arate banA account& did not Ioint!y o.n any
#ro#erty .ith hi1& and ne)er ado#ted his na1e
:iesse! at 30 4esti1ony ,ro1 on!y interested
.itnesses can a!so su##ort a co11on !a. 1arriage
,inding +a!.orth 4rucAing Co ) %u!en *2/ 0<2d
728 (4e$A##H4e$arAana 1**6& no .rit) Ho.e)er&
testi1ony ,ro1 tru!y disinterested #ersons is a!.ays
1ore co1#e!!ing
D4 PRESUMPTION AGAINST AN INFORMAL
MARRIAGE
>ou ha)e been retained to contest the e$istence o,
a co11on !a. 1arriage Aside ,ro1 attacAing the
abo)e-!isted three-#rong e!e1ents& .hat other too!s are
a)ai!ab!e to the #ractitioner to de,eat an in,or1a!
1arriageM 4e$ ?a1 Code G 2/01(b) estab!ishes the
c!osest thing to a statute o, !i1itations ,or estab!ishing
a co11on !a. 1arriage 4his section reDuires that i, a
#roceeding in .hich a 1arriage is to be #ro)ed (using
the three #rong test) is not co11enced be,ore the
second anni)ersary o, the date on .hich the #arties
se#arated and ceased !i)ing together& it is rebuttab!y
#resu1ed that the #arties did not enter into an
agree1ent to be 1arried =, the #arties .ere !i)ing
together on the date o, a #ur#orted s#ouseCs death& then
the o#erati)e date .i!! be the date o, death
<hat constitutes the co11ence1ent o, a
#roceedingM Ob)ious!y& ,i!ing an a##!ication to
deter1ine heirshi# or a dec!aratory Iudg1ent action
.ou!d su,,ice =nteresting!y& the ,i!ing o, an
a##!ication ,or .ido. bene,its .ith the 0ocia! 0ecurity
Ad1inistration the 1onth a,ter the decedent died .as
su,,icient because her a##!ication contained the
e!e1ents reDuired to estab!ish an in,or1a! 1arriage
Oa)a ) 9eddy Partnershi#3Puai! Chase *88 0<2d
3/6 (4e$ A##HHouston K1
st
+istL 1***& no .rit)
4his court distinguished a #rior case that ,ound that
,i!ing ,or .ido. bene,its did not constitute
Eco11encing a #roceedingF because that .o1anCs
a##!ication did not contain state1ents satis,ying a!!
three e!e1ents o, a co11on !a. 1arriage Oa)a at
380 re,erencing 'i!!egas ) :ri,,in =ndus& *78 0<2d
7/8 (4e$A##HCor#us Christi 1**8& .rit denied)
=, the #ur#orted co11on !a. s#ouse ,ai!s to
co11ence a #roceeding .ithin t.o years& does that
they are therea,ter barred ,ro1 instituting an actionM
A!as& noQ A statutory #resu1#tion is a ru!e o, !a.
reDuiring a trier o, ,act to reach a #articu!ar conc!usion
in the absence o, e)idence to the contrary 4e1#!e
=0+ ) 7ng!ish& 8*6 0<2d 167 (4e$ 1**8) 4he
e,,ect o, a #resu1#tion is to ,orce the #arty against
.ho1 it o#erates to negate the #resu1#tion5 and& the
#resu1#tion has no e,,ect on the burden o, #ersuasion
:enera! 6otors Cor# ) 0aen;& 873 0<2d 383 (4e$
1**3) 4he #resu1#tion 1ay dissuade so1e #arties
,ro1 #roceeding .ith arguab!y ,ri)o!ous cases& but& a
#arty .ith adeDuate e)idence 1ay sti!! be ab!e to
estab!ish an in,or1a! 1arriage
E4 AND THEY WERE COMMON LAW
DI7ORCED???
0cenarioB
>ou are a #arty to an in,or1a! 1arriage and your
.i,e has started to act& .e!!& too 1uch !iAe a .i,e >ou
.ant out o, the re!ationshi#& and you .ant your
attorney to te!! you ho. >ou suggest that since this is
a 1arriage created by the co11on !a.& .hy shou!dnCt
you be ab!e to obtain a co11on !a. di)orceM He
#o!ite!y in,or1s you o, the ,o!!o.ing A co11on !a.
di)orce is si1#!y not recogni;ed in the 0tate o, 4e$as
7state o, C!a)eria ) C!a)eria 618 0<2d 16/ (4e$
1*81) >ou cannot 1ere!y .a!A a.ay and start again
(4he attorney e$#!ains that a court has recogni;ed that
a 1arita! status in 6e$ico& re,erred to as
Econcubinage&F not there being un!a.,u!& cou!d be
ter1inated .ithout the other #artyCs consent or resort
to the courts :on;a!e; ) :on;a!e; /66 0<2d 83*
(4e$ Ci)A##H+a!!as 1*71& .rit re,Cd nre))
Ho.e)er& in 4e$as& an in,or1a! 1arriage can on!y be
ter1inated by ,i!ing ,or a di)orce or through a #artyCs
death 4here,ore& any other 1arriage subseDuent to an
in,or1a! 1arriage that is not ter1inated by di)orce or
death is )oid #ursuant to 4e$ ?a1 Code G 6202 He
conc!udes .ith the ru!e o, !a. that a!though the 1ost
recent 1arriage is #resu1ed )a!id& that #resu1#tion
.i!! be denied by #roo, o, a #rior )a!id 1arriage5 and&
i, the other s#ouse has no Ano.!edge o, an i1#edi1ent
to their 1arriage& such as a #re-e$isting 1arriage& they
1ay ha)e #ro#erty right c!ai1s as a #utati)e s#ouse
0ee +a)is ) +a)is& 821 0<2d 603 (4e$ 1*78)5
6athe.s ) 6athe.s& 2*2 0<2d 662 (4e$A##H
:a!)eston 1*86& no .rit)
I74 THE PUTATI7E SPOUSE
4e$as has historica!!y recogni;ed the #utati)e
s#ouse doctrine to he!# re1edy the 1u!ti#!e-
1arriage situation +a)is ) +a)is& 821 0<2d
603 (4e$ 1*78) A #utati)e 1arriage&
not.ithstanding its nu!!ity because o, the e$isting
#rior 1arriage& is recogni;ed as a )a!id 1arriage
based in contract !a.& i, either s#ouse entered the
1arriage in good ,aith .ithout Ano.!edge o, the
i1#edi1ent 6athe.s ) 6athe.s& 2*2 0<2d
662 (4e$ A## - :a!)eston 1*86& no .rit) 4he
critica! distinction is that the 1arriage itse!, is not
rendered )a!id& rather& the doctrine a!!o.s the
innocent #arty certain #ro#erty rights in the estate
created during the re!ationshi# +a)is ) +a)is& 821
0<2d 603 (4e$ 1*78)
A4 PUTATI7E SPOUSE PROOF
RE:UIREMENTS
(4 GOOD FAITH 8ELIEF
A good ,aith be!ie, by one or both #arties that
a )a!id 1arriage e$ists is an abso!ute #rereDuisite
to recognition as a #utati)e s#ouse +ean )
:o!d.ire& /80 0<2d /*/ (4e$ A## - <aco
1*72& .rit denied) :ood ,aith consists o, one or
both #arties being ignorant o, the cause that
#re)ents the ,or1ation o, a )a!id 1arriage or the
de,ects in its ce!ebration that cause it to be a
nu!!ity +ean at /*6 :ood ,aith 1ay be #resu1ed
.hen a s#ouse is una.are o, a #rior undisso!)ed
1arriage5 ho.e)er& the Duestion o, the
reasonab!eness o, the be!ie, 1ay be raised&
es#ecia!!y i, a #utati)e s#ouse is a.are that a
,or1er 1arriage e$isted at one ti1e :arduno )
:arduno& 760 0<2d 738& 7/0 (4e$ A## -
Cor#us Christi 1*88& no .rit) =n +ean& the court
,ound that the #utati)e s#ouseCs be!ie, to be
reasonab!e that her #rior 1arriage had been
disso!)ed .hen she recei)ed .hat her #ur#orted
s#ouse Ano.ing!y 1isre#resented to be a )a!id
6e$ican di)orce decree Con)erse!y& in :arduno&
the court he!d that the #ur#orted #utati)e s#ouse
had a duty to in)estigate ,urther .hen the cou#!e
.as noti,ied by a 6e$ican !a.yer that his 6e$ican
di)orce decree had been set aside A #arty 1ay not
si1#!y ignore re!iab!e e)idence that so1e !ega!
i1#edi1ent e$ists 4here is a duty on the #utati)e
s#ouse to in)estigate the ,acts that 1ight
substantiate an i1#edi1ent to the 1arriage
:arduno at 7/0 4he good ,aith be!ie, ter1inates
u#on disco)ery o, the #re)ious )a!id 1arriage and
the accrua! o, 1arita! bene,its a!so ceases
:arduno ) :arduno& 760 0<2d 738& 7/0 (4e$
A## - Cor#us Christi 1*88& no .rit)
A 1eretricious union .i!! resu!t i, the good
,aith be!ie, standard cannot be 1et by the a!!eged
#utati)e s#ouse5 and& the #arty su,,ering the
disabi!ity& or .ith Ano.!edge o, the i1#edi1ent is
si1#!y a 1eretricious #artner +ean ) :o!d.ire&
/80 0<2d /*/ (4e$ A## - <aco 1*72& .rit
denied) =, the re!ationshi# is 1eretricious& then
each #arty .ou!d o.n the #ro#erty acDuired during
the re!ationshi# in #ro#ortion to the )a!ue
contributed to the acDuisition o, such #ro#erty
+ean at /*6
&4 7ALID MARRIAGE PRESUMPTION
4here is a #resu1#tion that the 1ost recent
1arriage is )a!id as to 1arriages that #recede it
4e$ ?a1 Code G1102 4he burden o, #roo, to the
contrary rests on the #erson attacAing its !ega!ity
4e$as 71#!oyerRs =ns AssRn ) 7!der& 282 0<2d
371& 37/ (4e$ 1*88) Ho.e)er& the #resu1#tion
that the 1ost recent 1arriage is the )a!id one on!y
continues unti! a #arty #ro)es an i1#edi1ent& such
as a #rior 1arriage& at .hich #oint the
res#onsibi!ity ,a!!s on the #ro#onent o, the
1arriage to #ro)e that the !ega! i1#edi1ent to the
estab!ish1ent o, a )a!id 1arriage has been
re1o)ed 'i!!egas ) :ri,,in =ndustries& *78
0<2d 7/8 (4e$ A##--Cor#us Christi 1**8& .rit
denied) 4he ter1ination o, a #rior 1arriage 1ay
be rebutted by #roo, o, the none$istence o, a
di)orce or annu!1ent record .here they shou!d be
,ound Caruso ) -ucius& //8 0<2d 711 (4e$
A## - Austin 1*6*& .rit denied) 0ee Jordan )
Jordan& *38 0<2d 177 (4e$ A## - Houston K1st
+istL 1**7& no .rit) regarding rebutta! o,
#resu1#tions 4he 4e$as 0u#re1e Court ,ound
that the #resu1#tion in ,a)or o, a )a!id 1arriage
shou!d be the strongest Ano.n to !a. in 4e$as
71#!oyerCs =ns AssCn 4he court stated that the
)a!idity o, the 1arriage increases o)er ti1e by the
acAno.!edg1ents o, s#ouses and the births o,
chi!dren5 and& a #ub!ic #o!icy ,a)oring 1ora!ity&
innocence& 1arriage and !egiti1acy is ,a)ored o)er
their o##osite 4e$as 71#!oyerRs =ns AssRn )
7!der& 282 0<2d 371 (4e$ 1*88)
84 DI7IDING ESTATE ASSETS WITH A
PUTATI7E SPOUSE
(4 COMMUNITY PROPERTY RIGHTS OF
A PUTATI7E SPOUSE
4e$as Courts ha)e stated that the e,,ect o, the
#utati)e s#ouse doctrine is to a!!o. a s#ouse the sa1e
right in #ro#erty acDuired during the 1arita!
re!ationshi# as i, she .ere a !a.,u! s#ouse +a)is )
+a)is& 821 0<2d 603 (4e$ 1*78) 7ar!y 4e$as court
decisions ha)e consistent!y conc!uded that the
sur)i)ing s#ouse inherited a one-ha!, interest in a!! o,
the co11unity #ro#erty acDuired during the #utati)e
1arriage -ee ) -ee& 2/7 0<2d 828 (4e$ 1*23)
4he re1aining one-ha!, o, the #utati)e 1arriage
co11unity #ro#erty is eDua!!y di)ided bet.een the
!a.,u! .i,e and the t.ice-1arried s#ouse Caruso )
-ucius& //8 0<2d 711 (4e$ A##H1*70& .rit re,Cd
nre)
&4 SEPARATE PROPERTY
4e$as has c!ear!y taAen the #osition that a #utati)e
s#ouse has no interest in the decedentRs se#arate
#ro#erty Ha11ond ) Ha11ond& 108 0< 102/
(4e$ Ci) A##H1*08& .rit re,Cd) 4his ru!e a##!ies to
se#arate #ro#erty acDuired be,ore and during the
#utati)e 1arriage 4he )ie. is not as c!ear regarding
the decedentRs rents& inco1e and #ro,its ,ro1 se#arate
#ro#erty 4e$ ?a1 Code G 3002 #ro)ides that rents
and #ro,its ,ro1 se#arate #ro#erty are co11unity
#ro#erty Hence& one-ha!, o, rents and interest&
di)idends and other inco1e re)enue shou!d be
distributed to the #utati)e s#ouse i, .e ,o!!o. the
+a)is rationa!e
/4 7ARIOUS OTHER RIGHTS
a4 HOMESTEAD RIGHTS
4he 4e$as Const Art S'=& G 82 #ro)ides that
on the death o, the husband or .i,e the ho1estead
sha!! not be #artitioned a1ong the heirs o, the deceased
during the occu#ancy o, the sur)i)or 4he 4e$as
0u#re1e CourtRs #osition in +a)is .hich ho!ds that a
#utati)e s#ouse has the sa1e rights in #ro#erty as a
!a.,u! .i,e !ends credibi!ity to her a!so obtaining
sur)i)orshi# rights in the ho1estead A near!y century
o!d case does& ho.e)er& argue in dicta that a #utati)e
s#ouse cannot ascend to the ho1estead rights in the
decedentRs se#arate rea!ty -a.son ) -a.son& 6*
0<2/6 (4e$ Ci) A##H1*02& .rit denCd)
%4 RIGHT TO 8E APPOINTED
ADMINISTRATOR
4e$ Prob Code G 77 #ro)ides that u#on the
decedentRs death the sur)i)ing s#ouse has ,irst
#re,erence in recei)ing !etters o, ad1inistration Case
!a. #ro)ides that the non-#utati)e .i,e has a
#re,erentia! right to the a##oint1ent ?oi$ ) Jordan&
/21 0<2d /81 (4e$ A##H7! Paso& 1*67& .rit
denied) 4here,ore& the #utati)e s#ouse .i!! not contro!
the ad1inistration o, the estate ,ro1 .hich she is
seeAing assets and rights
c4 FAMILY ALLOWANCE AND EXEMPT
PROPERTY
4e$as Probate Code G 271 reDuires that a!! e$e1#t
#ro#erty be set aside ,or the bene,it o, the !a.,u!
s#ouse 4he #robate court 1ust a!so 1aAe an
a!!o.ance ,or the !a.,u! s#ouse shou!d no e$e1#t
#ro#erty e$ist #ursuant to G 273 4here is no 4e$as
case !a. regarding this ru!eRs e,,ect on a #utati)e
s#ouse Ho.e)er& the issue has been addressed by
ana!ogy in the conte$t o, a .rong,u! death action
4he Ci)i! Practice and 9e1edies Code G 7100/
#ro)ides that an action to reco)er da1ages ,or
.rong,u! death is ,or the e$c!usi)e bene,it o, the
sur)i)ing s#ouse& chi!dren& and decedentRs #arents
4he 4e$as 0u#re1e Court has ru!ed that a #utati)e
s#ouse is not entit!ed to bring this action 'i!!egas )
:ri,,in =ndustries& *78 0<2d 7/8& (4e$ A##H
Cor#us Christi& 1**8& .rit denied)
I74 E7IDENTIARY ISSUES
6ost in,or1a! 1arriages& a!though )ery ,act
s#eci,ic& in)o!)e the sa1e ty#es o, e)idence in e)ery
case 4here is testi1ony as to the agree1ent to be
1arried and the re#utation o, the cou#!e as 1arried&
there are #ersona! and business docu1ents& 1edica!
records& and !etters and cards that are o,,ered to
e)idence that the #arties did or did not ho!d the1se!)es
out to others as husband and .i,e5 and& there are the
,a1i!y #hotos and )ideos o, s#ecia! occasions to
e)idence the cou#!e .as or .asnCt together in these
situations 4his #ortion o, the #a#er .i!! e$#!ore so1e
o, the co11on e)identiary issues that the attorney .ho
chooses to !itigate an in,or1a! 1arriage .i!! ha)e to
address in the course o, !itigation
A4 ORAL TESTIMONY
(4 DEAD MAN@S STATUTE
4e$ 9 7)id 601(b) is re,erred to as the +ead
6anCs 0tatute A care,u! ana!ysis o, the ru!e re)ea!s
that it is Duite narro. in its a##!ication 4e$ 9 7)id
601(b) on!y bars testi1ony by a #arty recounting an
ora! state1ent 1ade by a testate& intestate or a .ard
under the ,o!!o.ing s#eci,ic circu1stancesB
a <here the suit is
brought by or against an e$ecutor& ad1inistrator& or
guardian5 or& in an action by or against an heir or
!ega! re#resentati)e o, the deceased5
b <here Iudg1ent 1ay be rendered against the1
as such5
c <here the .itness is a #arty5
d <here the .itness is testi,ying against the
other #arty or #arties5
e <here the .itness is testi,ying as to an ora!
state1ent 1ade by the testate& intestate or .ard
that is uncorroborated5 and&
, <here the #arty o##onent has not .ai)ed the
#rotection o, the ru!e
4he circu1stances that trigger the a##!ication o,
the ru!e a##ear to be straight ,or.ard based u#on a
#!ain reading o, the ru!e Ho.e)er& the case !a. #aints
a so1e.hat di,,erent #icture ?or e$a1#!e& does the
ru!e actua!!y reDuire& as a condition ,or its a##!ication&
that one o, the #arties& as #!ainti,, or de,endant& be a
du!y Dua!i,ied Ee$ecutor&F Ead1inistratorF or
EguardianF& and under .hat set o, circu1stances .ou!d
the bar a##!y in a contested heirshi# #roceeding that
did not inc!ude any o, those #ersonsM
4he a##!ication o, 4e$ 9 7)id 601(b) to suits
in)o!)ing heirshi# issues .as addressed in +e,oe!d)ar
) +e,oe!d)ar& 666 0<2d 668 (4e$A##--?ort <orth
1*8/& no .rit) 4he origina! a##!ication to deter1ine
heirshi# .as ,i!ed by the decedentCs .i,e& .ho !isted
herse!,& a chi!d o, the decedent ,ro1 a #rior 1arriage&
and three eDuitab!y ado#ted ste#-chi!dren as the
decedentCs heirs 4he .i,eCs atte1#ts to testi,y at tria!
that the deceased e$#ressed a desire to ado#t his three
ste#-chi!dren .ere barred #ursuant to 4e$ 9e) Ci)
0tat Ann Art 3716& the #redecessor to the current
ru!e 4he Court o, A##ea!s reasoned that a!though the
.i,e had not yet Dua!i,ied as ad1inistratri$& she .as
the a##!icant and .as a #otentia! heir 4here,ore& she
Dua!i,ied as a E#artyF under the +ead 6anCs 0tatute
4he Court s#eci,ica!!y stated that a E#artyF under the
+ead 6an 0tatute 1eans Ea #erson .ho has a direct
and substantia! interest in the issue to .hich the
testi1ony re!ates and .ho is either an actua! #arty to
the suit or .i!! be bound by any Iudg1ent entered
thereinF ConseDuent!y& the .i,e had a direct and
substantia! interest in the heirshi# deter1ination and
Dua!i,ied as a E#artyF bound by the Iudg1ent& thereby
.arranting the e$c!usion o, her testi1ony
Ho.e)er& other a##e!!ate courts considering
other contested heirshi# cases .ith si1i!ar ,acts ha)e
,ound that the +ead 6anCs 0tatute shou!d not be
a##!ied in an heirshi# situation =n 01ith ) 01ith&
287 0 < 2d 338 (4e$ Ci) A## H <aco 1*83& .rit
re,Cd O97)& there .ere con,!icting c!ai1s bet.een an
a!!eged co11on !a. .i,e and his sib!ings regarding
the a##oint1ent o, an ad1inistrator A!though they
.ere ,ighting as to .ho shou!d be a##ointed as
ad1inistrator& the #ur#orted s#ouse estab!ished her
1arriage in the sa1e action 4he a##e!!ate court
reasoned that a #roceeding ,or the a##oint1ent o, an
ad1inistrator is not an action by or against e$ecutors&
ad1inistrators& or guardians in .hich Iudg1ent 1ay be
rendered against the1 as such& nor is it an action by or
against the heirs or !ega! re#resentati)es o, a decedent
4he Court characteri;ed a #roceeding ,or the
a##oint1ent o, an ad1inistrator as a E contest
bet.een the #arties ,or the right to ad1inister u#on the
estateF 4he Court e1#hasi;ed that the obIect o, the
!a.suit .as not to di)ide the #ro#erty o, the deceased
or to deter1ine .ho .as entit!ed to it& rather& .hich
had standing to ad1inister the estate 4he Court
reso!)ed standing issues through its deter1ination that
the a!!eged co11on !a. .i,e .as be,ore the court as a
Esur)i)ing .i,e& and not as an heir5F and& the brothers
.ere not be,ore the court as heirs either& but as Ene$t o,
AinF 01ith at 338 (Ca)eatB 4he court a!so ,ound that
the brothers had .ai)ed any a##!ication o, the +ead
6anCs 0tatute by inDuiring into the 1atters that they
.ished to e$c!ude during their cross-e$a1ination o,
the .ido.)
A si1i!ar resu!t .as reached in the 1ore recent
case o, Cain ) <hit!ocA& 7/1 0 < 2d 828 (4e$ A##
- Houston K1/
th
+istL 1*87& no .rit) 4his case
in)o!)ed a contest bet.een an a!!eged co11on !a.
s#ouse and the decedentCs 1other regarding the
a##oint1ent o, an e$ecutri$ and a deter1ination o,
heirshi# 4he A##e!!ate Court cited 01ith& su#ra& and
conc!uded that .ere 4e$ 9 7)id 601(b) to a##!y to
suits in)o!)ing c!ai1s o, co11on !a. 1arriage
E(g)reat di,,icu!ty cou!d resu!t in #ro)ing .hether a
co11on-!a. 1arriage .as created .ithout a!!o.ing
testi1ony as to the ora! state1ents o, the deceased
#ur#orted s#ouseF
a4 CORRO8ORATING E7IDENCE LIFTS THE
8AR
4he harshness o, the ru!e is te1#ered by the
!anguage therein that #er1its a E#artyF to testi,y to a
decedentCs or .ardCs state1ent .hen it is corroborated
Corroborati)e e)idence tends to su##ort a 1ateria!
a!!egation or issue .hich is testi,ied to by the .itness
Corroboration 1ay co1e ,ro1 any co1#etent .itness
or other ad1issib!e source& eg docu1entary e)idence
Corroborati)e e)idence need not be su,,icient standing
a!one to su##ort the )erdict& but 1ust tend to con,ir1
and strengthen the testi1ony o, the .itness and sho.
the #robabi!ity o, its truth Puitta ) ?ossati& 808
0<2d 636 (4e$A##HCor#us Christi 1**1& .rit
denied) =t is su,,icient ,or instance& i, the
corroborating e)idence sho.s conduct by the deceased
that is genera!!y consistent .ith the testi1ony
concerning the deceasedCs state1ents Corroboration
)irtua!!y e!i1inates the a##!icabi!ity o, +ead 6anCs
9u!e in !itigation o, an in,or1a! 1arriage& because one
cannot estab!ish the three e!e1ents .ithout so1e
corroborating e)idence& .hether it be docu1entary (ta$
records& 1edica! ad1ission ,or1s& cards or !etters& etc)
or ora! testi1ony ,ro1 a disinterested .itness
Ho.e)er& one needs to understand ho. to res#ond i,
such an obIection under the +ead 6anCs 0tatute is
sustained since there is a con,!ict in the case !a.
a##!ying the ru!e 4he ,o!!o.ing scenario
de1onstrates the a##ro#riate res#onseB
A##!icantCs Counse!B 6rs 01ith did you and your
husband e)er ha)e a con)ersation about your
agree1ent to be 1arriedM
ContestantCs Counse!B ObIection >our Honor 6rs
01ith is not a co1#etent .itness under +ead 6anCs
9u!e 601(b) 0he is an heir and this is a contest a1ong
the decedentCs heirs
A##!icantCs Counse!B >our Honor& = ,ee! that the
ho!dings o, 01ith and Cain ho!d that the +ead 6anCs
9u!e does not a##!y in this situation
CourtB O)erru!ed
A##!icantCs Counse!B 4hen = a1 #re#ared to o,,er the
testi1ony o, a corroborating .itness .ho .i!! testi,y
that the decedent to!d hi1 that 6rs 01ith .as his .i,e
.hich is circu1stantia! e)idence o, the agree1ent to
be 1arried = a1 a!so #re#ared to o,,er the ta$ returns
o, the decedent ,i!ing as a 1arried #erson bearing the
decedentCs signature 4his .i!! !i,t the bar to 6rs
01ithCs testi1ony
CourtB Counse!& i, this is the case& = .i!! need to hear
the testi1ony o, your corroborating .itnesses and or
an o,,er o, #roo, regarding docu1entation in su##ort
o, the 1arriage be,ore = .i!! #er1it 6rs 01ith to
testi,y to any ora! agree1ent .ith her husband
regarding a #ur#orted 1arriage 6rs 01ith& you 1ay
ste# do.n
&4 HEARSAY O8JECTIONS
Once the bar o, the +ead 6anCs 0tatute is #assed&
the hearsay obIection is the ne$t hurd!e to the
ad1ission o, e)idence o, an in,or1a! 1arriage 4his
e)idence is ty#ica!!y re#!ete .ith re,erences to
con)ersations .ith the #arties to the a!!eged 1arriage
6ere!y to re,resh the 1e1ory& hearsay is a state1ent&
other than one 1ade by the dec!arant .hi!e testi,ying at
the tria! or hearing& o,,ered in e)idence to #ro)e the
truth o, the 1atter asserted 4e$ 9 7)id 801 (d) An
ad1ission by #arty o##onent is not hearsay 4e$ 9
7)id 801(e)(2) 4here,ore& i, a #ractitioner is
contesting an in,or1a! 1arriage& and has a .itness .ho
can testi,y that the #ur#orted s#ouse said E= Iust .ish
that .e had gotten 1arried be,ore he died&F there
.ou!d be no )a!id hearsay obIection
7)en i, the testi1ony is hearsay& there are 1any
e$ce#tions to the ru!e 4he e$ce#tions .hether or not
the dec!arant is una)ai!ab!e are ,ound at 4e$ 9 7)id
803 A ,reDuent!y used hearsay e$ce#tion in a
contested deter1ination o, heirshi# is the e$ce#tion as
to re#utation concerning #ersona! or ,a1i!y history
4e$ 9 7)id 803 (1*) 4his e$ce#tion a!!o.s
testi1ony o, re#utation a1ong 1e1bers o, a #ersonCs
,a1i!y by b!ood& ado#tion& or 1arriage& or a1ong a
#ersonCs associates& or in the co11unity concerning a
#ersonCs birth& ado#tion& 1arriage& di)orce& death&
!egiti1acy& re!ationshi# by b!ood& ado#tion& or
1arriage& ancestry& or other si1i!ar ,act o, #ersona! or
,a1i!y history %ut& this ru!e on!y a!!o.s state1ents as
to re#utation& and does not authori;e the ad1ission o,
s#eci,ic out o, court state1ents concerning a ,a1i!y
Other use,u! e$ce#tions in a contested heirshi# areB
1 9ecords o, )ita! statistics 4e$ 9 7)id 803(*)&
2 ?a1i!y records 4e$ 9 7)id 803 (13)&
3 0tate1ents in ancient docu1ents (16)& or e)en
/ 0tate1ent against interest (2/)
Additiona!!y& as the decedent is genera!!y
una)ai!ab!e in a contested deter1ination o, heirshi#&
4e$ 9 7)id 80/(b)(3) a!!o.s testi1ony regarding a
state1ent concerning the dec!arantCs o.n birth&
ado#tion& or 1arriage& ancestry or other si1i!ar ,act o,
#ersona! or ,a1i!y history e)en though dec!arant had
no 1eans o, acDuiring #ersona! Ano.!edge o, the
1atter stated (4he decedent .ou!d ob)ious!y ha)e
#ersona! Ano.!edge o, any in,or1a! 1arriage)
4here,ore& a!! testi1ony about .ritings or state1ents
that the decedent 1ade that .ou!d indicate the
decedentCs be!ie, as to his 1arita! status .ou!d be
ad1issib!e
84 ADMITTING DOCUMENTARY E7IDENCE
=t is i1#ortant to re1e1ber that e)ery tria! e$hibit
1ust 1eet certain thresho!d reDuire1ents be,ore it can
be ad1itted into e)idence5 (1) the Dua!i,ying .itness
1ust be co1#etent to authenticate it5 (2) the e$hibit
1ust be re!e)ant to the tria!5 and (3) the e$hibit 1ust be
authenticated See 4e$as 9u!es o, Ci)i! 7)idence
10/(b)& /01& 602& *01(a) Just because an e$hibit is
re!e)ant and authentic& ho.e)er& does not 1aAe it
ad1issib!e 4he e$hibit 1ay be e$c!uded on other
grounds& eg& hearsay +irector ) -ara& *01 0<2d
638& 638 (4e$ A##T7! Paso 1**8& .rit denied)
+ocu1ents are genera!!y the 1ost co1#e!!ing e)idence
in the tria! o, a co11on !a. 1arriage As di,,erent
docu1ents ha)e di,,erent reDuire1ents& the ne$t
section .i!! address the reDuire1ents ,or ad1ission o,
each ty#e o, docu1ent ,reDuent!y encountered in the
!itigation o, an in,or1a! 1arriage 4he !itigator shou!d
be sure to e$#!ore these e)identiary a)enues =n 1any
cases o, this nature& the attorneys .i!! sti#u!ate as to
the ad1issibi!ity and authenticity o, such e)idence& but
the ,o!!o.ing ite1s e$#!ore the ru!es o, e)idence that
.i!! assist the #ractitioner in ad1itting the e)idence
necessary to their case
(4 TAX RETURNS
A!though not dis#ositi)e o, the e$istence o, a
co11on-!a. 1arriage #ursuant to the court in the
:iesse! estate& i, the #arties to the #ur#orted 1arriage
continue to ,i!e their ta$ returns as sing!e indi)idua!s& it
is e)idence that they 1ay not ha)e had an agree1ent to
be 1arried or he!d the1se!)es out as 1an and .i,e
4he ta$ return can be authenticated either by sho.ing
that it is a co#y obtained ,ro1 the =90 o, the return
that .as in ,act ,i!ed .ith the =90 under 4e$ 9
7)id *01(b)(7)5 or it 1ay be se!, authenticated under
49CP 1*37 i, it .as #roduced by the o##osing
#arty Any hearsay obIection .ou!d be hand!ed by
4e$ 9 7)id 80/ (b)(3) as a state1ent o, the
dec!arantCs o.n 1arriage
&4 INSURANCE
APPLICATIONSAEMPLOYMENT RECORDS
=nsurance a##!ications and e1#!oy1ent records are
another go!d 1ine o, re!e)ant e)idence in !itigation
concerning an in,or1a! 1arriage 4hese ite1s are a!so
indicati)e o, the #artiesC be!ie, as to an agree1ent to be
1arried and e)idence that the #arties he!d the1se!)es
out as 1an and .i,e to the co11unity 4hese
docu1ents are business records that can be
authenticated either by a business record a,,ida)it the
,or1 o, .hich is attached hereto as Attach1ent %
#ursuant to 4e$ 9 7)id *02(10)5 or& they can be
authenticated by the testi1ony o, the custodian o,
records ,or the insurance co1#any or co1#any o,
e1#!oy1ent o, the #arty #ursuant to 4e$ 9 7)id
803(6) 0ee Attach1ent C ,or sa1#!e Duestions 4he
business record a,,ida)it 1ust be on ,i!e at !east
,ourteen days be,ore tria! +o not abandon #ersuasi)e
docu1entary e)idence because o, a de,ecti)e or !ate
,i!ed a,,ida)it =, you cannot sub#oena a custodian o,
records to #ro)e u# this docu1ent& at !east atte1#t a
reDuest ,or continuance o, the tria! 6ost Iudges hate
to see a case decided based on the technica! e$c!usion
o, #robati)e e)idence Again& any hearsay obIection
.ou!d be hand!ed by 4e$ 9 7)id 80/ (b)(3) as a
state1ent o, the dec!arantCs o.n 1arriage
/4 LETTERS AND CARDS
-etters and cards ,ro1 the decedent to the
#ur#orted co11on !a. s#ouse or others o,ten indicate
the true status o, the re!ationshi# 4e$ 9 7)id *01(b)
(2) a!!o.s the hand.riting on such cards and !etters to
be estab!ished by any !ay #erson ,a1i!iar .ith the
hand.riting as !ong as such ,a1i!iarity .as not
acDuired ,or the #ur#oses o, the !itigation
<4 PROPERTY TAX RECORDS
A!though #robab!y not dis#ositi)e& but #ersuasi)e&
the #ro#erty ta$ records indicating that the #arties to a
#ur#orted co11on !a. 1arriage each 1aintained a
ho1e that each dec!ared to be their ho1estead .ou!d
be e)idence against the cohabitation #rong o, the
1arriage A certi,ied ta$ record .ou!d be ad1issib!e
#ursuant to 4e$ 9 7)id 803(8) 0ee 0tate ) ?o!tin&
*30 0<2d 270 (4e$A##HHoustonK1/
th
+istL1**6&
.rit denied)
B4 PHOTOGRAPHS AND HOME 7IDEOS
6any ti1es& #arties in a contested heirshi# .ant to
sho. the #resence or absence o, the #ur#orted s#ouse
at ,a1i!y gatherings and s#ecia! occasions :enera!!y&
the 1ost cha!!enging e)identiary hurd!e .ith this
e)idence is authenticating the #hotogra#h or )ideo 4o
authenticate a #hotogra#h& the attorney 1ust ,irst
estab!ishB 1) 4he .itness is ,a1i!iar .ith the obIect or
scene5 2) 4he .itness can estab!ish the basis ,or their
,a1i!iarity .ith the obIect or scene& the #hotogra#h is a
,air& accurate& true or good de#iction o, the obIect or
scene at the re!e)ant ti1e Additiona!!y& #hotogra#hs
1ay in)ite a re!e)ancy obIection #ursuant to 4e$ 9
7)id /01& as a #icture o, t.o #eo#!e together does not
1aAe the e$istence o, any ,act 1ore #robab!e or !ess
#robab!e
'ideo ta#es& .hi!e subIect to the sa1e re!e)ancy
obIections as #hotogra#hs& 1ay ca#ture a re!e)ant
state1ent by one o, the #arties 4o authenticate a
)ideota#e& one 1ust estab!ishB 1) 4he o#erator o, the
)ideo ca1era .as ca#ab!e5 2) 4he o#erator ,i!1ed a
certain acti)ity or e)ent5 3) 4he o#erator can account
,or the custody o, the )ideo5 /) 4he o#erator
recogni;es the )ideo as one that they tooA5 and 8) 4he
,i!1 is sti!! a good de#iction o, the acti)ity =, the
1aAer o, the )ideota#e .as not a)ai!ab!e& it .ou!d be
#ossib!e ,or another .itness to the scene to
authenticate that the ,i!1 .as sti!! a good de#iction o,
the acti)ity and did not a##ear to be a!tered in any.ay
A !ay .itness 1ay authenticate the )oices o, #eo#!e
.ho are not in the #icture by o#inion based u#on
hearing the )oice at anyti1e under circu1stances
connecting it .ith the a!!eged s#eaAer #ursuant to 4e$
9 7)id *01

74 MISCELLANEOUS ISSUES
A4 ROLE OF THE ATTORNEY AD LITEM
4here is no such thing as an EuncontestedF
deter1ination o, a co11on !a. 1arriage As the
deter1ination o, a co11on !a. s#ouse is essentia!!y a
deter1ination o, heirshi# regard!ess o, the ,or1 o, the
#!eadings& the a##oint1ent o, an attorney ad !ite1 .i!!
be reDuired to re#resent the interests o, the unAno.n
heirs& and 1ay be a##ointed to re#resent the interests
o, any heirs .hose .hereabouts are unAno.n or .ho
are inca#acitated #ursuant to 4e$ Prob Code G 83
4he attorney ad !ite1Cs duty is to E#ut the a##!icant to
their #roo,F 4he attorney ad !ite1 is dere!ict in their
duty i, they do not 1aAe an inde#endent inDuiry and
Duestion the #roo, that the a##!icant is #resenting
6any ad !ite1s are hesitant to Ebastardi;eF the 1inor
chi!dren concei)ed by the #arties in this union
Ho.e)er& it is genera!!y in the chi!drenCs ,inancia! best
interest i, their #arent had no sur)i)ing s#ouse& !ea)ing
the1 as the so!e heirs o, the estate
84 JURY OR 8ENCH TRIAL
4he attorney shou!d a!.ays atte1#t to be a.are o,
the Erea!itiesF o, the )enue in .hich they are
a##earing =t is o,ten ad)isab!e to seeA a Iury tria! to
deter1ine an in,or1a! 1arriage i, you are re#resenting
the #ur#orted co11on !a. s#ouse Juries tend to be
1ore !iAe!y to err on the side o, the #ur#orted co11on
!a. s#ouse 4hat can be corrected by the tria! Iudge i,
the Iury ,inds the 1arriage in contra)ention o, the
e)idence Ho.e)er& that ana!ysis is not a!.ays c!ear
and a##e!!ate courts tend to dis,a)or the tria! courtCs
disturbance o, a Iury )erdict
0hou!d you decide to #roceed .ith a Iury tria!& the
,o!!o.ing instructions and Iury issue 1ay be used in a
Iury tria! o, an in,or1a! 1arriageB
>ou are instructed that a 1arriage is )oid i,
either #arty .as #re)ious!y 1arried and the
#rior 1arriage is not disso!)ed Ho.e)er& the
1arriage beco1es )a!id .hen the #rior
1arriage is disso!)ed i, since that ti1e the
#arties ha)e !i)ed together as husband and .i,e
and ha)e re#resented the1se!)es to others as
being 1arried
<hen t.o or 1ore 1arriages o, a #erson to
di,,erent s#ouses are a!!eged& the 1ost recent 1arriage
is #resu1ed to be )a!id as against each 1arriage that
#recedes it unti! one .ho asserts the )a!idity o, a #rior
1arriage #ro)es its )a!idity
4he #resu1#tion that the 1ost recent 1arriage is
)a!id as against a!! others is a rebuttab!e one& but 1ay
be rebutted on!y by e)idence that negates e)ery
#ossib!e 1ethod by .hich the #rior 1arriage cou!d
ha)e been disso!)ed
Proo, that a ,or1er 1arriage has not been
disso!)ed .ithout sho.ing that it has not been annu!!ed
or disso!)ed by di)orce is insu,,icient to rebut the
#resu1#tion ,a)oring )a!idity o, the second cere1onia!
1arriage
4he 0tate o, 4e$as recogni;es& in the
absence o, a cere1onia! 1arriage& an in,or1a!
or co11on !a. 1arriage bet.een a 1an and a
.o1an i,B
(1) they agree to be 1arried5
(2) a,ter the agree1ent& they !i)ed
together in 4e$as as husband and
.i,e5 and
(3) they re#resented to others that they
.ere 1arried in 4e$as
>ou are ,urther instructed that the e!e1ents
that 1aAe u# an in,or1a! 1arriage 1ay occur at
di,,erent ti1es& but& unti! a!! three e!e1ents e$ist&
there is no co11on !a. 1arriage
Oo. bearing in 1ind the ,oregoing
instructions and de,initions& you .i!! ans.er the
,o!!o.ing Duestions
Puestion Oo 1
+o you ,ind& ,ro1 a #re#onderance o, the
e)idence& that +O9O4H> JO9+AO .as the !a.,u!
.i,e o, -OOO=7 JO9+AO at the ti1e o, his death
a +O9O4H> JO9+AO
Ans.erB UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Ans.er the Duestion E>esF or EOoF
Puestion Oo 2
=, you ans.ered Puestion Oo 1& E>esF& then ans.er
Duestion Oo 2 Other.ise& do not ans.er Puestion Oo
2
%y a #re#onderance o, the e)idence& .hat date do
you ,ind that +O9O4H> JO9+AO and -OOO=7
JO9+AO !ega!!y 1arriedM
Ans.erBUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
7I4 CONCLUSION
6ost #robate #ractitioners& .hether they are
!itigators or not& .i!! encounter a 1arita! case in)o!)ing
co11on !a. issues Ho#e,u!!y& this #a#er .i!! assist
you in identi,ying the reDuire1ents o, the substanti)e
!a.& the necessary e)idence and genera! considerations
that you 1ust be 1ind,u! o, in !itigating the issue o, an
in,or1a! 1arriage
ATTACHMENT A C DECLARATION AND REGISTRATION OF INFORMAL
MARRIAGE
ATTACHMENT 8: 8USINESS RECORDS AFFIDA7IT
OoUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
=O 4H7 704A47 O? =O 4H7 P9O%A47 CO(94
JOHO +O7& O(6%79 OO7 O?
+7C7A07+ HA99=0 CO(O4>& 47SA0
A??=+A'=4
%e,ore 1e& the undersigned authority& #ersona!!y a##eared UUUUUUUUUUUU& .ho& being by 1e
du!y s.orn& de#osed as ,o!!o.sB
6y na1e is UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU& = a1 o, sound 1ind& ca#ab!e o, 1aAing this a,,ida)it& and
#ersona!!y acDuainted .ith the ,act herein statedB
= a1 the custodian o, the records o, UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU Attached hereto are UUUUU#ages o,
records ,ro1 UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU 4hese said UUUUUU#ages o, records are Ae#t by UUUUUUUUin
the regu!ar course o, business& and it .as the regu!ar course o, business o, UUUUUUUUUUUU ,or an
e1#!oyee or re#resentati)e o, UUUUUUUUUUUUU& .ith Ano.!edge o, the act e)ent condition
o#inion or diagnosis recorded to 1aAe the record or to trans1it in,or1ation thero, to be inc!uded
in such record5 and the record .as 1ade at or near the ti1e or reasonab!y soon therea,ter 4he
records attached hereto are the origina! or e$act du#!icates o, the origina!
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
A,,iant
0<O9O 4O AO+ 0(%0C9=%7+ be,ore 1e on the UUUUUUday o, UUUUUUUUU& 2006
UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
Ootary Pub!ic& 0tate o, 4e$as
OotaryCs #rinted na1eB
6y co11ission e$#iresB UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
ATTACHMENT C: SAMPLE :UESTIONS FOR LAYING PREDICATE FOR
ADMITTING 8USINESS RECORDS
1 P!ease state your na1e and address
2 %y .ho1 are you e1#!oyedM
3 <hat is your #osition .ith that co1#anyM
/ <hat are your duties ,or your e1#!oyerM
8 0tate .hether you ha)e in your custody or subIect to your contro! the co1#!ete records o,
your co1#any #ertaining to UUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU
6 Can you identi,y 7$hibit M
7 =s 7$hibit a co#y o, certain records o, your co1#anyM
8 =s your co1#any a regu!ar!y organi;ed business acti)ityM
7 Are the records& o, .hich 7$hibit is a co#y& 1ade in the regu!ar course o, the
business o, your co1#anyM
8 P!ease state .hether it .as in the regu!ar course o, the business o, your co1#any ,or
e1#!oyees or re#resentati)es o, the business& .ith #ersona! Ano.!edge o, acts& e)ents&
conditions& and other in,or1ation contained in such records& to 1aAe such records or to
trans1it in,or1ation thereo, to be inc!uded in such records
* <ou!d that be eDua!!y true o, the records o, .hich 7$hibit is a co#yM
10 Are the entries 1ade in the records& o, .hich 7$hibit is a co#y& 1ade at or near the
ti1e o, the occurrence o, the acts& e)ents& or conditions described therein or .ithin a
reasonab!e ti1e therea,terM
11 +id you #ersona!!y 1aAe or su#er)ise the 1aAing o, the co#y .hich is 7$hibit M
12 +oes the source o, in,or1ation or the 1ethod o, #re#aring these records indicate their
trust.orthinessM
13 %y .hat 1eans or 1ethod .as the co#y 1adeM
1/ =s 7$hibit an accurate re#roduction o, the records .hich you ha)e describedM
18 <here are the origina!s o, the records o, .hich 7$hibit is a co#yM
16 <e o,,er 7$hibit into e)idence